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In California, an FBI agent admitted in court in 2009 that an informant was planted in an Irvine Islamic Center. "Surveillance has prompted some Muslims to avoid mosques and cut charitable contributions out of fear of being questioned" or called "extremists."
LAPD Special Order # 11, dated March 5, 2008 (Los Angeles police), lists 65 behaviors to report, including First Amendment ones like using binoculars, taking photos or videos, taking notes, and espousing "extremist" views.
In 2006, the Los Angeles Times got Homeland Security reports on persons or groups participating in lawful demonstrations, including anti-war and for animal rights. Protests of various other activist organizations were also spied on throughout the state. During huge anti-war San Francisco 2002 and 2003 demonstrations, police posed as protesters to monitor crowd activities. Muslim groups were also surveilled in Los Angeles, San Diego and elsewhere in the state. Since 9/11, they've unfairly been designated enemy number one for their faith, many falsely arrested, convicted and imprisoned for being Muslim at the wrong time in America.
In Colorado, in 2005, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) agents monitored the American Indian Movement, as well as peace and environmental groups on suspicions of "domestic terrorism." In 2003, law enforcement agents infiltrated the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center and other peace and social justice groups.
In Colorado Springs, in 2002, police collected names and license plate numbers of environmental and conservationist groups engaging in peaceful demonstrations. In 2002, a pro-Palestinian Denver rally was monitored as well as others for suspected "anarchists" and eight categories of "extremists" for peace. In addition, for environmental and animal rights issues, and justice for Black Americans.
FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force agents also spied on Food Not Bombs, a Colorado group providing free vegetarian food to hungry people and engaging in protests against war and poverty - considered "terrorism" today in America, making nonviolent activists vulnerable, especially if minorities or Muslims.
In Hartford, Connecticut, police arrested an activist for photographing Governor Jodi Rell at a public event because information on his blog expressed criticism.
In Florida, peace activists were placed on a government watchlist for distributing information about conscientious objection to military recruiters and interested civilians. The Defense Department listed a Broward County Anti-War Coalition in a TALON database for protesting at a Florida air and sea show.
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