ACLU: FBI instructs police to suppress peaceful protests

[Selwynn]

This is breaking news, however linking to it will be a little difficult. I received this as an ACLU action alert in my email box. Here is a snippet of that alert:

The ACLU has denounced a classified FBI intelligence memorandum, obtained by the New York Times, which gives police detailed instructions on how to target and monitor lawful political demonstrations under the rubric of fighting terrorism.

"This bulletin confirms that the federal government is targeting innocent Americans engaged in nothing more than lawful protest and dissent. The American people deserve an explanation for what is clearly a return to the days of J. Edgar Hoover's spying tactics," said Anthony D. Romero, ACLU Executive Director.

According to a front-page story in the New York Times, the memorandum was circulated to local law enforcement agencies around the country in advance of mass marches and rallies in Washington, DC and San Francisco against the U.S. occupation in Iraq.

...

Of particular concern is one section warning law enforcement about protesters' use of videotaping as an "intimidation" technique. Most mainstream demonstrators often use videotape during protests to document law enforcement activity and, more importantly, deter police from acting outside the law.

I'm looking for an online link to a full write-up, however for now, you can download the entire FBI memo from this link:

Intelligence Bulletin No. 89
http://www.aclu.org/SafeandFree/SafeandFree.cfm?ID=14452&c=207&MX=1055&H=1