US spied on leftwing groups and anti-ICE protesters, records reveal
US conducted mass spying campaign against leftwing and anti-ICE protesters
Newly disclosed records show the Department of Homeland Security ran a sweeping surveillance operation, 'Operation Puppet Master,' against leftwing organizations and protesters opposing immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Undercover agents infiltrated community meetings and Signal chats, obtained financial records of unions and nonprofits, and monitored events in Minneapolis and New York. The records were released in a criminal case against 15 protesters, raising concerns about the criminalization of lawful protest.
I was shocked at the scope and the apparent lack of investigative discipline involved, but not totally surprised.
- Terr_
> The records also showed undercover agents surveilling a virtual meeting at Hunter College in New York [...] ; a meeting at a labor center in Minneapolis
> The documents indicate that agents made audio recordings of the events.
For anyone else wondering (particularly if you're accustomed to it) it looks like neither NY nor MN are two-party consent ones for recording things.
- bulbar
> He said it was also notable that DHS was using administrative subpoenas, which don’t require judicial authorization, to obtain records.
I find that quite crazy. Apparently no check whatsoever what the executive does.
- throwaway27448
Americans have zero muscle to stand up for the people who actually care for this country.
- magic_interface
What measures can protesters take against this? With agents actively infiltrating groups, it seems impossible to prevent this level of spying.
- pull_my_finger
I'm no lawyer, but sure sounds a lot like entrapment as much as spying