California Following Federal Example... Spying On Activists

California AG Slams State Security Office For Tracking Antiwar Protestors

The similarities between the Vietnam War Era and our current times is growing by leaps and bounds. Once again the state law enforcement resources are being used to follow the example of the federal government by conducting secret surveillance and infiltration of protest activists who are exercising First Amendment rights. If California is doing it, I can guarantee it is happening in other states as well. It is an inherent violation of the Bill of Rights and an over-reach of authority and power. While the officials from this particular California agency deny such activities, the Califonia AG would not risk public humiliation by announcing such a program if there were not evidence to support the claim.

A spokesman for California Attorney General Bill Lockyer Friday criticized the California State Office of Homeland Security for tracking antiwar protests over the past few months, calling it a violation of civil liberties. Reports obtained by the Los Angeles Times document protests including a demonstration where US Rep. George Miller (D-CA) spoke against the war in Iraq, a gathering organized by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom to support an antiwar protestor charged with federal trespassing, and an animal rights rally. Speaking on behalf of the attorney general, Tom Dresslar said the monitoring violated the protestors' constitutional right of free speech and does not serve a necessary anti-terrorism intelligence function.

Chris Bertelli, a spokesman for the state office, said the reporting began in March, but officials stopped the practice as soon as they learned it was occurring. Bertelli said the reports were only given to the California Highway Patrol and the attorney general's office, and nothing else was done with the information. The communications director for California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said the governor found the information-collecting "inappropriate and unacceptable" and had no knowledge that such practices were taking place.