Minnestoa's Community Justice Project, along with the NAACP and ACLU, has succeeded in putting a stop to that city's version of the Commonwealth's MassGangs database, "Gangnet". Police say they weren't using the database, but community groups hail it as a victory in the war against unchecked spying.
Mehanna verdict compromises First Amendment, undermines national security Decision today threatens writers and journalists, academic researchers, translators, and even ordinary web surfers. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, December 20, 2011 CONTACT: Christopher Ott, Communications Director, 617-482-3170 x322, cott [at] aclum [dot] org BOSTON -- The following statement on the conviction today of Tarek Mehanna may be attributed to American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts executive director Carol Rose:
NDAA passes 86-13 in the Senate.
The bill now moves to the President's desk, where he will likely sign it.
The 80 or so people who marched today from the former Occupy Boston site at Dewey square to the JFK federal building in opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act were surprised to see this giant monstrosity pull up briefly in front of the demo:
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Note: If you are in the Boston area, come demonstrate with us against the NDAA tomorrow at 12:15. Info here.
Did the AP bother to read the press release it used to draft this article on the latest National Defense Authorization Act negotiations?
The article first states that the version of the bill being worked out in conference committee would provide "an exemption for U.S. citizens" from being held by the military:
In Houston today, activists taking part in the national Occupy #D12 actions blocked a street lying down. Police surrounded them and then placed a giant red tent over their bodies, obstructing outside view of the subsequent arrests. It is bizarre and extremely troubling. Watch:
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At 12:15 PM on December 15, 2011, Bill of Rights day, activists will gather at Dewey square in Boston to say 'no' to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which as written, will authorize the indefinite detention of anyone, including US citizens, without charge or trial. It would allow the government to create GITMOs here at home, for US residents and citizens. It would signal the death of the Bill of Rights as we know it.