FBI using terrorism laws to "infiltrate" protest groups
As predicted, so-called "terrorism" laws are really being used to fuck the tender bottoms of protestors.
What they were looking for, Carroll says, was an informant -- someone to show up at "vegan potlucks" throughout the Twin Cities and rub shoulders with RNC protestors, schmoozing his way into their inner circles, then reporting back to the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, a partnership between multiple federal agencies and state and local law enforcement. The effort's primary mission, according to the Minneapolis division's website, is to "investigate terrorist acts carried out by groups or organizations which fall within the definition of terrorist groups as set forth in the current United States Attorney General Guidelines."
Of course, protesting is terrorism as defined by the FBI:
FBI
Terrorism is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as ``...the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.'' (28 C.F.R. Section 0.85)
Note especially the or property -- claiming that there can be "violence" against property is ridiculous, of course -- so if two kids are holding a "stop the bombing" sign and push over a police barricade, they're terrorists. Scribble a "fuck off Starbucks" on the perennial favourite coffee-chain and you're a terrorist (not a simple graffiti writer).
More information about the FBI doing this in other states from democracynow. Also, a report of being arrested by FBI for "wearing a mask".
But hell, this is even more terror-fying, a list of people to arrest if (when?) martial law is declared...