ACLU Accuses Harvard of Ties to the FBI
The ACLU has questioned Harvard's police about why an undercover officer was photographing a political rally last month and has accused the school of maintaining a political intelligence unit that reports to the federal government, the Harvard Crimson reports.
In a statement, Harvard officials deny any relationship of the kind, but they also admit that they do film events when the "potential for violence, property damage, vandalism, HUPD arrest, or other circumstances require it."
The demonstration in question—held in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip—attracted the attention of the ACLU after two attendees were arrested, one of whom allegedly tried to photograph a plainclothes officer who was himself photographing the event. Since then, the ACLU has questioned the intent behind the school's picture-taking and has filed a Freedom of Information Act request inquiring about the school's intelligence relationship with the FBI, specifically with the joint terrorism task forces.
Tags: Harvard University | ACLU
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Investigate 9-11
I agree with the other poster, you know things are bad when even the future elite studying at Harvard are being spied on by the Federal Government.
This is not a sign of a healthy democracy.
Important questions need to be asked NOW, until we slip farther as a nation.
Look into the questions around 9-11, and look into the known lies and government malfeasance in Iraq.
There are only two outcomes to the mess we find ourselves in: investigations and trials for members of this administration who have broken the law,
or eventual show trails and incarceration for people who keep demanding them.
Which side will you be on?
Harvard observes demonstrators
No demonstrator, no matter what their cause or what side of an issue they're on should be surprised or indignant about being filmed. Technology is not only for use by private individuals but can also be legitimately used by institutions andy be agents of the state.
Every time I go into the local mini-mart to buy candy or a beer I'm videotaped -- they're worried about thievery and holdups -- but Harvard should have no right to videotape political events on university property? Doesn't sound either fair or wise to me, especially when we're talking about supporters of the terrorist group Hamas which has declared war -- jihad -- against non-muslims, including Americans. The 9/11 "truthers" would prefer you believe that there is no muslim terrorism -- that it's all a CIA charade. Such beliefs indicate either a profound ignorance of the world beyond the borders of the U.S., or willful deception.
Stop with the cosnpriacy theory stuff already
If you want to reach "mainstream Americans" on the subject of America becoming a police state, using 9-11 conspiracy theories is not the way to go. Using this example only detracts from the credibility of a legitimate argument by associating it with something controversial like 9-11.
Harvard's authoritarian tactics
There is no reason to film people during a protest. The only reason the police do it is to protect themselves against false charges of brutality, but witnesses can serve the same purpose. The problem is that we know longer believe witnesses are credible, so we no longer believe in democracy.
Iraq and US Democracy
Whlie working in Iraq, I had plenty of opportunities to meet and talk with all kind of people. BUT the most interesting thing that I have heard in the past five years came from an Iraqi telling me, " do not tell me that in America you have democracy any more after what you have done to our country and that US citizens are no longer have a say in their governmnet!" I had to take this man's opinion seriously since he is my first cousin!!
Speaking of democracy, I read this very interesting "line" on a German T-shirt last year while I was in Germnay. It said, " be nice to Americans or they will bring democracy to your country!"
It is sad that this great country, with its people, has such bad reputation due NOT to our every day citizens but rather because our governments foreign policies. I am very saddened.
Democracy and peace
You are mixing democracy peace. The two have nothing to do with each other, and I would even say that democracies are actually problematic in that people vote themselves into servitude.
When I was young
I was born into a world where the USA was loved all around the world, with the exception of the communist block, but things have changed. We have changed.
We should ask why?
People just do not get the point of the above article ,
Two attendees were arrested, one of whom allegedly tried to photograph a plainclothes officer who was himself photographing the event.
The point is not that the government has the right or the people have the right photograph, it is that these guys got put in jail for for photographing back. Why??
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Our police state is much worse than you think...
Everyone should do his/her own research about
9/11.
WTC-7 has small, scattered fires, yet implodes in
a controlled demolition. Silverstein says it was
pulled.
Airliner with a 125' wingspan disappears though a
16' foot initial impact hole at the Pentagon.
All clear video of what blew-up the Pentagon being
withheld to this day.
NORAD stands down due to Cheney, I mean Osama
& 19 flunkies with boxcutters.
Etc., etc., etc.,
Apr 16, 2008 12:29:17 PM [permalink] [report comment]