The Guardian says the FBI has begun investigating «domestic terrorism» against a group of civil society activists in California, suspecting them of «extremism» after they protested against the neo-Nazis in 2016.
According to documents obtained by the Guardian, the Federal government conducted an operation to monitor BAMN (far-left organization) after one of the members of this group were slaughtered on the right rally. According to journalists, they have received the documents indicate:
- The FBI considered BAMN as a potential «conspirators» against right-wing and racists.
- The FBI considered the right, as victims, and the leftist protesters as potential terrorists and downplayed the threats posed from the right, while agreeing that «the KKK was composed of members who, according to some, has supported the agenda of white supremacy».
- Monitoring the FBI included personal observation, and the Agency has invoked the protection of BAMN vs «rape and sexual assault» and «police brutality» as evidence in the investigation of terrorism.
In this 46-page report to the FBI and BAMN ignores the «100 years of the history of terrorism of the Klan KKK who killed thousands of Americans and continues to use violence until today. This description of the KKK should be an embarrassment for the leadership of the FBI,» — commented on the documents Mike German, a former FBI agent
Shanta Driver, national Chairperson of BAMN, criticized the investigation, saying: «the Interest of the FBI to BAMN is a part of the old politics … Starting with the campaign of the persecution and slander of Dr. Martin Luther king, lasts this racist history of attacks on peaceful civil rights and anti-racist organizations, while doing nothing to prosecute the racists and fascists who attacked Dr. king and his movement.»
One #antifa stabbed by #neonazi at anti #KKK rally in #Sacramento #nazi #antifascist @Ruptly pic.twitter.com/6CEv1BxFlp
— Alba Ferrer (@Alba_at_work) June 26, 2016
The FBI began an investigation after mass clashes and stabbing a neo-Nazi rally in June 2016 in Sacramento . Although many neo-Nazis suspected of hitting at least seven anti-fascists in the melee, causing some of them received life-threatening injuries , the FBI decided to launch an investigation into the actions of left-wing protesters.
According to the FBI documents, «potential violations of Federal law» included «conspiracy against rights» and «riots». The FBI quoted the Bemen’s website, which encouraged supporters to protest against the KKK , showing slogans such as «FUNNY FASCISM!» AND «NO» FREE SPEECH «FOR FASCISTS!», And the «mass demonstration of action» which search through neo-Nazi rally. The FBI also noted the screenshots of the pages that dealt with the number of other advocacy groups, including the campaign against «rape and sexual assault» and «police brutality».
In addition, the FBI files referred to Yvette Felarca, member of BAMN, which was stabbed and beaten at a rally, but now her accusations of assault and riot. (Her lawyers argued in court that police investigators and prosecutors were biased towards the anti-fascists and worked to protect the neo-Nazis).
Yvette Felarca of By Any Means Necessary is being sued by the Berkeley College Republicans for more than $100K. Hope they win and «daddy» has to get out of his checkbook out again. Actions have consequences. It’s time liberals start learning the hard way. | #RedNationRising pic.twitter.com/Izg0T8gG1E
— Red Nation Rising (@RedNationRising) June 23, 2017
The final documents, though heavily redacted, did not contain any conclusions of the FBI the fact that the left has violated the law or threatened. Its members are not faced with Federal prosecution. The FBI declined to comment on the documents. The driver is sure that «the FBI stopped the investigation, without any evidence of misconduct».
But journalists are worried, «the thinking of investigators.» According to Ryan Shapiro, the Executive Director of «national ownership» of the justification of the Bureau’s investigation and surveillance are alarming. «The FBI rounded up all these protesters once shouted at a rally, and somehow this evidence was mobilized to support a full investigation of terrorism,» he said.
On the question of continuing an investigation in Bama and did the FBI any similar investigation against the neo-Nazis in California, an FBI spokesman said the Bureau does not confirm nor deny the existence of specific investigations. «We can not initiate an investigation solely on the basis of race, ethnicity, natural origin, religion or use their First amendment rights,» — said in a statement to the FBI. «The FBI does not control or will control ideology.»
The Bureau «is investigating activity that may constitute a Federal crime or threaten national security,» the statement said.
The FBI report States that investigation and surveillance was not intended to bind a legal activity with a crime or a threat to national security or to conclude that such is protected by the law itself violates Federal law:
«However, based on known intelligence and / or specific historical data, it is possible that protected activity may cause a violent reaction against individuals or groups or this activity can be used as a means of targeting law enforcement. In the absence of a violent reaction of the FBI policy and Federal law require not to do any further records about the protected activity.»
