Policing Dissent
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Documents and video surveillance tapes obtained by the ACLU of Massachusetts and the National Lawyers Guild, Massachusetts Chapter--after suing for access on behalf of five peace groups, four activists and Political Research Associates--show that officers assigned to the Boston Regional Intelligence Center at the Boston Police Department are collecting and keeping information about constitutionally protected speech and political activity. The documents provide the public with its first glimpse into the political surveillance practices of the Boston Police Department.
> Download a copy of our "Policing Dissent" report. (PDF)
> Sign our petition to stop police spying on political activity!
Blog
10.18.12
When Boston Police spy on free speech, democracy suffers
Boston.com
Reposted at ACLU's Blog of Rights
Resources
Read the released documents.
Media
Records reveal Boston Police spy on political and police groups
ACLU of Massachusetts media release
10.30.12
Boston law enforcement oversteps in policing dissent
Letter to the Editor
The Boston Globe
10.26.12
Boston Police spy on peaceful, First Amendment-protected activity–but why?
New England First Amendment Center
10.24.12
Boston Police step over the line on rights
The Boston Globe
10.23.12
Boston Police: Unlawful surveillance or justified information collection?
Radio Boston
10.22.12
Guest opinion: The corrosive power of fear
Wicked Local Nantucket
10.19.12
Boston Police spied on protests, meetings
Democracy Now
10.18.12
Boston Police surveillance
WGBH
ACLU: Boston Police "Spying" at Antiwar Protests
WGBH News
Boston PD accused of spying on anti-war groups
NECN
Civil rights groups criticize police surveillance
Associated Press, via NECN
Boston Police accused of spying on antiwar groups
The Boston Globe
ACLU faults Boston Police for surveillance
WBUR
10.17.12
Report says Boston police are 'spying' on local activists
Metro
Hank Investigates - Secret police files
WHDH
Legal Documents
6.24.2011
Public records request to Boston Police Department regarding peace groups
3.29.2010
Public records request to Boston Police Department regarding activists interrogated by BRIC
12.28.2009
Public records request to Boston Police Department regarding suspicious activity reporting
More
Read the "Policing Dissent" report.
Read Boston Police Department "intelligence reports."
Read other documents that our lawsuit obtained.
Visit the website of the National Lawyers Guild, Massachusetts Chapter.
