Sign the petition: Demand Congress protect the right to dissent for Black lives.
CBC Chair Karen Bass & Congress
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Once again, Black activists and organizers are demanding our society transform itself and land on the right side of history. But the state has chosen to greet this opportunity with increased violence and surveillance, doubling down on its commitment to undermine and disrupt Black-led movements for justice by criminalizing and attacking them.
The FBI has already been exposed for labeling participants of the Ferguson and nationwide uprisings “Black Identity Extremists”, continuing the targeting Black activists where the infamous COINTELPRO operation left off. And now there are cruel new tools added, heralding an even uglier chapter in American history should we fail to #ProtectBlackDissent.
Ironically, protests against police violence are being met with more police violence in the form of tear gas and rubber bullets. 60 years ago in Birmingham, it was fire hoses and dogs. 6 years ago in Ferguson, it was tanks and armored trucks. Today, it is tanks, tear gas, and advanced surveillance and tracking technology. From facial recognition cameras, StingRay, automated license plate readers, high-altitude spy planes and drones, protestors across the country are being surveilled to the fullest extent possible.
People across the country should be able to rise up against systemic state violence and racism without experiencing further state violence in the form of militarized weaponry and surveillance technology. Members of Congress must step in and fulfill their duty to protect and support their constituents.
Right now, the FBI is supporting and resourcing local police efforts to hunt, intimidate, and ultimately suppress protests. Black lives continue to be under attack. And Congress can and should step in. It is time for Congressional leaders on racial justice like Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Karen Bass (D-CA-37) to put pressure on their colleagues to protect constituents’ right to protest without surveillance.
Sign the petition: Demand CBC Chair Karen Bass and all members of Congress #ProtectBlackDissent by introducing legislation to ban surveillance of protestors across the country.
Participating Organizations:
Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Daily Kos
Free Press Action Fund
Justice for Muslims Collective
MediaJustice
The FBI has already been exposed for labeling participants of the Ferguson and nationwide uprisings “Black Identity Extremists”, continuing the targeting Black activists where the infamous COINTELPRO operation left off. And now there are cruel new tools added, heralding an even uglier chapter in American history should we fail to #ProtectBlackDissent.
Ironically, protests against police violence are being met with more police violence in the form of tear gas and rubber bullets. 60 years ago in Birmingham, it was fire hoses and dogs. 6 years ago in Ferguson, it was tanks and armored trucks. Today, it is tanks, tear gas, and advanced surveillance and tracking technology. From facial recognition cameras, StingRay, automated license plate readers, high-altitude spy planes and drones, protestors across the country are being surveilled to the fullest extent possible.
People across the country should be able to rise up against systemic state violence and racism without experiencing further state violence in the form of militarized weaponry and surveillance technology. Members of Congress must step in and fulfill their duty to protect and support their constituents.
Right now, the FBI is supporting and resourcing local police efforts to hunt, intimidate, and ultimately suppress protests. Black lives continue to be under attack. And Congress can and should step in. It is time for Congressional leaders on racial justice like Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Karen Bass (D-CA-37) to put pressure on their colleagues to protect constituents’ right to protest without surveillance.
Sign the petition: Demand CBC Chair Karen Bass and all members of Congress #ProtectBlackDissent by introducing legislation to ban surveillance of protestors across the country.
Participating Organizations:
Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Daily Kos
Free Press Action Fund
Justice for Muslims Collective
MediaJustice
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CBC Chair Karen Bass & Congress
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[Your Name]
Black activists and organizers are demanding our society transform itself and land on the right side of history -- and have been met with more state violence. People across the country should be able to rise up against systemic state violence and racism without experiencing further state violence in the form of militarized weaponry and surveillance technology. It is your duty to protect your constituents. Ensure your constituents can freely dissent against state violence by introducing legislation into Congress that puts an end to militarized weaponry and surveillance technology being used against protestors.