General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums“The shocking move to criminalize nonviolent protest”
This Is A Must See!!!!http://www.greenisthenewred.com/blog/ted-talk-will-potter/7800/
New TED Talk: The shocking move to criminalize nonviolent protest
by WILL POTTER on JUNE 11, 2014
in GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES,NEWS,TERRORISM COURT CASES,TERRORISM LEGISLATION
video: http://www.ted.com/talks/will_potter_the_shocking_move_to_criminalize_non_violent_protest
What an incredible opportunity for millions of people to learn about how our rights to protest are under attack. And as ag-gag laws are spreading globally, it couldnt come at a better time.
I hope you like it, and if you do please share it! Thanks!
http://www.ted.com/talks/will_potter_the_shocking_move_to_criminalize_non_violent_protestt
enough
(13,237 posts)Pentagon preparing for mass civil breakdown
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12529671
About Pentagon use of social sciences to lead the country to accept criminalization of nonviolent activism.
G_j
(40,366 posts)thank you
NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)bookmarking to go back and actually listen to the whole tedtalk later.
G_j
(40,366 posts)struggle4progress
(118,041 posts)Actual quote from the talk:
Through the Freedom of Information Act, I learned that the Counter-Terrorism Unit has been monitoring my articles and speeches like this one. They even included this nice little write-up of my book: they described it as compelling and well-written. The blurb on the next book, right? The point of all this is to make us afraid
So somebody complained they thought Potter was a terrorist. The complaint got sent to some poor schmuck to investigate. Said poor schmuck read the book and filed a memo saying the book was compelling and well-written. Potter made a FOIA request and got the memo sent to him. Potter regards this an effort to make him afraid
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)What happened with the FBI?
So I went out leafletting with a group of people. We just passed out pieces of paper in a residential neighborhood about animal testing. I thought that was the most I could do as a working journalist something so benign. And of course, since I have the worst luck ever, we were all arrested and charged. It was the only time Ive been arrested. Those charges were later thrown out, of course. It was a frivolous arrest. And its still lawful to pass out handbills.
A couple weeks later, I was visited by two FBI agents at my home, who told me that unless I helped them by becoming an informant and investigating protest groups, they would put me on a domestic terrorist list. They also made some threats about making sure I wouldnt receive a Fulbright I had applied for, and making sure my girlfriend at the time wouldnt receive her PhD funding.
....
Did they bother you after that?
Well, you know, its one of those things. It made me realize the power of fear. Because in a situation like that, you dont know what actually is happening or will happen. Theres no way to find out. Certainly just a few months after 9/11 when this happened, but even today, with the extent of the governments counterterrorism powers and how theyre being used. So when they talk about making sure I dont receive a Fulbright, I didnt receive it, but is that just because Im not smart enough? Was it because my application wasnt good enough? I dont know. Its impossible to know these things.
Years later, after my book came out, we did a Freedom of Information Act request. I found out that the counterterrorism unit has been monitoring my speeches and book and website.
http://blog.ted.com/2014/01/31/will-potter-on-of-treating-environmentalists-like-terrorists/
struggle4progress
(118,041 posts)Stefan Warner and Moriah Stephenson
In December, he reported that When they got to jail, they found out they were being charged with a "terrorism hoax," a state felony punishable by up to ten years in prison
But it was reported in January that No charges have been filed against the protesters in Oklahoma County District Court, but Stephenson and Warner were issued citations for disorderly contact and trespassing in Oklahoma City municipal court
You link an interview from April in which Potter repeats the claim that Stephenson and Warner are being prosecuted right now for a terrorism hoax. I'd think the case would be attracting more attention now, if Potter's claim were true, but I haven't located any recent story on the case
Details like this actually matter
Fred Friendlier
(81 posts)They leap at the slightest pretext to get overwrought, evidently under the impression that this proves them to be Great Leftists.
I find it all embarrassing and I wish we had a better class of activists, more intelligent and more dedicated to effective action to advance the cause.
davidthegnome
(2,983 posts)Are you suggesting that the man in the video is overreacting to something? Or that he isn't a very intelligent, dedicated, or effective activist? Or are you just making a complaint about activism in general?
I don't think a visit from the FBI is something you can really overreact to, if that's what you mean.
G_j
(40,366 posts)woo me with science
(32,139 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,112 posts)Thanks for the thread, G_j.
But let's worry about nipples.
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)You know, since you're not worried about nipples?
JEB
(4,748 posts)the myriad distractions set out to keep us proles in line. I buy very little and what i do need to buy, I buy used if possible. I try to be informed on issues and I vote, but am concerned that often this has less effect than it should. I struggle for a living as most people do.
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)your response. =)
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
WillyT
(72,631 posts)1000words
(7,051 posts)-- JFK
G_j
(40,366 posts)this seems to be a reality included in their models.
blkmusclmachine
(16,149 posts)woo me with science
(32,139 posts)This is the murder of our Constitution. This is totalitarianism being constructed around us.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)Don't let a simple letter D fool you, folks.
indepat
(20,899 posts)values are incessantly flaunted before the world.