Nonviolent protest is terrorism :(

[auroraglacialis]

F.B.I. Targets Peaceful Anti-Fracking & Rising Tide Activists, Washington Post Reveals | Rising Tide North America

As eco-terrorism wanes, governments still target activist groups seen as threat - The Washington Post

By Juliet Eilperin, Updated: Saturday, March 10, 5:12 PM
Ben Kessler, a student at the University of North Texas and an environmental activist, was more than a little surprised that an FBI agent questioned his philosophy professor and acquaintances about his whereabouts and his sign-waving activities aimed at influencing local gas drilling rules.“It was scary,” said Kessler, who is a national organizer for the nonviolent environmental group Rising Tide North America. He said the agent approached him this past fall and said that the FBI had received an anonymous complaint and were looking into his opposition to hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking.” The bureau respected free speech, the agent told him, but was “worried about things being taken to an extreme level.”

Even as environmental and animal rights extremism in the United States is on the wane, officials at the federal, state and local level are continuing to target groups they have labeled a threat to national security, according to interviews with numerous activists, internal FBI documents and a survey of legislative initiatives across the country. [continued, see link above]

So nonviolent protesting and action will get you also on the "eco terrorism watchlist" and under investigation by the FBI, even if no illegal activities are done. Nice. Whats one to do next - write letters to politicians? I guess that is still allowed until it is declared harrassment and impeding regular political process if a couple of thousand letters clutter up the mailboxes...

Oh and that pressure on nonviolent activists seems to be on the rise despite (or because?) of a decline in illegal (I'd hesitate to call it violent if no person was hurt when some people liberate animals from mink farms) forms of action.

[Tsyal Makto]

Anything that possibly stands to compromise the bottom lines of the energy corps is considered "terrorism" these days. It's crying wolf, and unfortunately people still believe them.

[Sìkat]

I live very close to a part of upstate New York which is being eyed very hungrily by energy corporations for its reserves of natural gas -- to be obtained via hydraulic fracturing. Needless to say, there is very widespread opposition, and several towns and villages in the area have passed ordinances banning the practice.

For those of you who drink beer: Brewery Ommegang recently threatened to leave the area if the town of Middlefield, NY's ban on fracking was overturned.

I'll bet that half of central upstate New York is now on the watch lists of DHS and the FBI; after COINTELPRO, I certainly wouldn't put anything past them. People who want to protect their drinking water are considered terrorists?

I want to vomit.

[Marvellous Chester]

Seems to me as though they are shooting themselves in the foot. If you brand perfectly peaceful people as terrorists then what's to stop them actually resorting to violence? They'll still wear that label but will have actually managed to achieve something

[Niri Te]

The REAL Eco terrorists are the fat cats and their underlings that are MAKING WAR on the ecosystems of the Earth.
Niri Te

[Isard]

Right.


They should ignore anonymous tips. They're just asking questions FFS. Aren't you lot always bitching about not being allowed to ask questions?



Are you physically capable of being more hypocritical?

[Moco Loco]

I honestly do not see why this is a big deal. Sure, it's kind of bizarre, but nobody used the word "terrorism", and nothing actually happened to the guy. Small potatoes.

[auroraglacialis]

Erm - so you think it is appropriate on the grounds of activism to go on and ask people that the person knows about that person, collecting personal information, investigating as if that person was a crime suspect? If I imagine that I participate lets say in an anti war protest organization where people light candles to tell the government to get out of Afghanistan - is it appropriate that then federal investigators will go and ask my boss, my mom and some of my friends about what I do and what books I read and whatnot? I think not really. If a person has done something illegal, then that justifies such investigation but by doing things that are completely within the borders of the law...?

[Isard]

I'd be concerned if they didn't.


Especially if it were you and Stag over here. That guy's messed up.

[Marvellous Chester]

Originally Posted by Isard

Especially if it were you and Stag over here. That guy's messed up.

Yes you are right. I can't believe I've been so blind. We should lock up these tree hugging loons and keep building and mining. I won't be satisfied until every inch of land is covered over with a road or skyscraper! Hey, why stop at land? I want hovering houses too! The oceans, bah who needs water, suck all the water out and build there too! Our God Emperor will protect us!....

Back to your fantasy world good sir, we'll be sure keep the water and air clean for you to enjoy

[Isard]

Making sure you're not planting ****ing bombs or murdering people (two things you've advocated in the past) is a far cry from locking you up.

[Niri Te]

Originally Posted by Isard

Making sure you're not planting ****ing bombs or murdering people (two things you've advocated in the past) is a far cry from locking you up.

ACTUALLY, it is only two or three steps removed, depending upon how you count. Have you ever really studied the history of Germany from the end of the first world war, to the middle of the second world war? Also pay attention to Neville Chamberlain, and the U.S. policy of isolationism, which emboldened Hitler in his land grab.
We ALREADY HAVE a new law on the books, enabling the non warrant arrest of Americans, with detainment in a MILITARY FACILITY with NO "Constitutional Rights" concerning visitation, or legal council. THAT one was passed under the guise of "National Security", the SAME platform that Hitler used, only from a different "Foreign Power".
Niri Te

[Human No More]

They have to take reports seriously. If you say "X murdered someone", they will get questioned for murder. If it turns out to be rubbish, you'll probably be charged with false accusations, wasting police time, etc, but they can't ignore a report because it seems unlikely or for political reasons. Being questioned != being suspected != being convicted.

[Marvellous Chester]

Originally Posted by Isard

Making sure you're not planting ****ing bombs or murdering people (two things you've advocated in the past) is a far cry from locking you up.

Whatever you say colonel.

[Isard]

Originally Posted by The Silver Stag

Whatever you say colonel.

Lance Corporal would be more appropriate.