Whether Donald Trump or some other Republican became president of the United States, one thing was for certain—civil and social justice would take a back seat to building up the powers of the state’s law enforcement apparatus. The appointment of Jeff Sessions to Attorney General means that people of color and people fighting for social justice are now targets. Now The Guardian is reporting that the FBI has begun investigating political activists involved in the NoDAPL movement.
The purpose of the officers’ inquiries into Standing Rock, and scope of the task force’s work, remains unknown. Agency officials declined to comment. But the fact that the officers have even tried to communicate with activists is alarming to free-speech experts who argue that anti-terrorism agents have no business scrutinizing protesters.
“The idea that the government would attempt to construe this indigenous-led non-violent movement into some kind of domestic terrorism investigation is unfathomable to me,” said Lauren Regan, a civil rights attorney who has provided legal support to demonstrators who were contacted by representatives of the FBI. “It’s outrageous, it’s unwarranted … and it’s unconstitutional.”
The FBI gave their patented “We aren’t allowed to comment on existence of an investigation, unless of course it’s a woman running for president of the United States,” answer. Law enforcement’s dubious dealings with activists—specifically surrounding the Standing Rock protests—has been going on for a long time now. The important thing to remember is this:
“It does not do to rely too much on silent majorities, Evey, for silence is a fragile thing, one loud noise, and its gone. But the people are so cowed and disorganised. A few might take the opportunity to protest, but it'll just be a voice crying in the wilderness. Noise is relative to the silence preceding it. The more absolute the hush, the more shocking the thunderclap. Our masters have not heard the people's voice for generations, Evey and it is much, much louder than they care to remember.”
― Alan Moore, V for Vendetta
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