Date: Tue, 02 Dec 2003 11:51:52 -0500 From: "The American Civil Liberties Union" To: "The American Civil Liberties Union" Subject: stop FBI spying on peaceful protesters Thank you for using The American Civil Liberties Union Mail System Message sent to the following recipients: Attorney General Ashcroft Message text follows: Matthew Belmonte [address] December 2, 2003 [recipient address was inserted here] [recipient name was inserted here], I am writing to express my extreme disappointment that the FBI is advocating spying on peaceful protesters and appears to believe that those who engage in civil disobedience or other disruptive acts should be treated like potential terrorists. The New York Times on Sunday 23 November reported on a leaked FBI memo that describes the government's practice of spying on peaceful protesters. I am infuriated to learn of these Orwellian tactics which are more a feature of totalitarianism than of democracy. This policy of spying on peaceful protestors has severe implications for freedom of speech and for the rest of the American freedoms supposedly guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Many people will hesitate to speak their minds if they think they will be monitored and given a police dossier for doing so. Furthermore, all this scrutiny being given to peaceful protesters by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces will divert attention from any truly harmful activities. As a person who supports the rights of a free people and the responsibilities of a democratic state, I urge you to rescind this policy of spying on those who vigorously exercise these rights and responsibilities which you are sworn to defend. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter. Sincerely, Matthew Belmonte