Are you a "person of interest?" [View All]

On inauguration day, 36 people in Melbourne, Florida gathered at city hall for a counter-inauguration protest. Their peaceful and legal protest was also attended by 9 police officers who videotaped the protest and the license tags of the people attending. The police said they were doing it for their protection. 4 police officers for every protester. We should all feel so protected. Keep in mind the protection was not expected, requested or necessary.

Enter the ACLU to wrangle over the tapes... In late February, saying his predecessor had established the policy to routinely videotape protesters, Police Chief Don Carey said he is changing the rules to require more accountability for such surveillance. He also said a tape of a recent demonstration would be erased. Melbourne police officers will no longer systematically videotape antiwar demonstrations in town.

However, six individuals somehow became aware that they were on a list of "persons of interest" with the Melbourne police and the Brevard County sheriffs office. These caring people could easily be you or me. Interesting to note that "person of interest" is also how the police department in Orange County described their suspect in a recent rape/murder case prior to his arrest.

These individuals, assisted by the ACLU, hand-delivered public records requests this morning to determine what records the sheriff's office is maintaining on them. The ACLU will also be filing its own follow up requests to determine the involvement of other agencies involved in spying on demonstrators. i.e. Are the FBI or Homeland Security department involved?

Supposedly websites and email activity have been monitored on these individuals and there is suspicion of police moles in local protest groups.

The people on this list are guilty of the following types of dangerous behavior. Organizing and attending antiwar demonstrations, peace vigils, and inauguration protests. Writing blogs expressing dismay over the actions of the current administration. Writing letters to the editor. Attending MoveOn.org house parties and DFA meetings. Exchanging emails to spread the word about liberal events in the county.

Local Fox, CBS and NBC affiliates attended the press conference today. I wonder if they'll even bother to edit it into the evening news.