July 27, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
CONTACT:
media@aclu.org
ACLU Calls for Guidelines to Protect Free Speech and Privacy Rights of
Californians
SAN FRANCISCO – Federal, state and local agencies have
infiltrated or monitored the political activity of Californians throughout
central and northern California in what has become a disturbing trend, according
to a report released today by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern
California.
From grandmothers opposing the war in Iraq to anti-war
protesters at the Port of Oakland, the 35-page report tells the compelling
stories of individuals and groups that were targets of government surveillance
because of their political activity.
“The incidents in this report
represent a disturbing trend in law enforcement that is fueled by greater
funding of federal, state and local intelligence agencies, a national climate of
fear, and a troubling lack of regulation,” said Mark Schlosberg, author of the
report and Police Practices Policy Director of the ACLU of Northern
California.
The report, entitled The State of Surveillance:
Government Monitoring of Political Activity in Northern and Central California,
also illustrates the lack of enforcement of current regulations and recommends
specific policy reforms to safeguard Californians’ rights to privacy and free
speech.
Since September 11, 2001, dozens of organizations have had
their protests monitored by intelligence agencies. Peaceful protests were
included in anti-terrorism bulletins and databases and undercover officers have
posed as activists to gather information and influence decisions, according to
the report.
The ACLU makes several policy recommendations,
including state legislation regulating the National Guard, the State Terrorism
Threat Assessment Center, and the state Office of Homeland Security. The
California Attorney General should also issue specific guidelines to local law
enforcement agencies and state law should require regular reporting on
surveillance activities to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the ACLU said.
“We applaud those who refuse to be silenced, but fear that for
others, government surveillance of political activity will have a chilling
effect,” said Dorothy Ehrlich, Executive Director of the ACLU of Northern
California. “Free speech, political dissent, and rigorous public debate are the
foundation of a strong democracy and that is why it is so important to preserve
these precious rights in times of crisis. If history is any guide, the stories
documented in this report represent only the tip of the iceberg.”
The report is online at
www.aclunc.org/surveillance_report
