ACLU of Montana Demands Information on Government Surveillance of Pipeline Protesters
Concerns of Militarized Tactics and Violence Prompt Right-to-Know Requests
Helena, MT – The ACLU of Montana has issued right-to-know requests seeking information related to government surveillance of potential protesters and others opposed to the Keystone XL Pipeline. The requests also seek to uncover possible plans to suppress protesters’ free speech.
The ACLU has obtained a report produced with the help of the Montana Department of Justice showing that state and federal agencies may already be spying on potential protesters. The report, which references the Standing Rock protests, characterizes pipeline opponents as “extremists” intent on “criminal disruptions and violent incidents.”
“Based on this report and the government’s history of violent and invasive responses to pipeline protests, it seems likely that government and law enforcement officials are already partnering with big oil to silence opposition to the Keystone XL Pipeline in Montana,” said Alex Rate, ACLU of Montana Legal Director.
Peaceful protesters at Standing Rock and other pipeline demonstrations were monitored by the government and private security firms hired by oil companies. They used drones, social media monitoring, and undercover FBI agents to keep watch on the protests. Law enforcement agencies also used water cannons, dogs, tear gas, and concussion grenades on Indigenous protesters and their allies. Journalists were also blocked from covering the protests.
“Unfortunately, it seems that the same military-style actions seen at Standing Rock could be repeated against Keystone XL opponents in Montana,” said ACLU of Montana Advocacy and Policy Director, SK Rossi. “We need to make sure that peaceful protesters in Montana do not become the victims of violence by law enforcement and private security. We have seen too much of that in Standing Rock, Ferguson, and other communities where people of color have used their freedom of speech to demand change.”
The ACLU of Montana is requesting the below public records and has requested each government entity to respond to each request for information within 30 days.
- State of Montana FOIA
- Carter County FOIA
- Dawson County FOIA
- Fallon County FOIA
- Lewis and Clark County FOIA
- McCone County FOIA
- Phillips County FOIA
- Prairie County FOIA
- Valley County FOIA
Alex Rate (ACLU of Montana Legal Director) and SK Rossi (Advocacy and Policy Director) are available for interview.
The FOIA requests are hyperlinked above and are available on the ACLU of Montana web site.
Stay Informed
Every month, you'll receive regular roundups of the most important civil rights and civil liberties developments. Remember: a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
By completing this form, I agree to receive occasional emails per the terms of the ACLU’s privacy policy.
The Latest in National Security
-
ACLU Acknowledges Improvements to DOJ Racial Profiling Policy, But Says Far More is Needed
-
ACLU Applauds Court For Allowing Case Challenging FBI’s Wrongful Prosecution of Chinese American Physics Professor To Move Forward
-
Shen v. Simpson
-
Chinese Immigrants Sue Florida Over Unconstitutional and Discriminatory Law Banning Them From Buying Land
ACLU's Vision
The American Civil Liberties Union is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America.
Learn More About National Security
The ACLU’s National Security Project is dedicated to ensuring that U.S. national security policies and practices are consistent with the Constitution, civil liberties, and human rights.