Anonymous Releases Video, Claims It Shows Warrantless Wiretapping By Police
A video released by hacker collective Anonymous purports to show evidence of warrantless wiretapping in Chicago during a #blacklivesmatter protest. According to the video, a vehicle moved through the streets during protests, listening in on conversations.
The video (shared in its entirety below) opens with a scene of President Barack Obama addressing the nation. “Nobody is listening to your telephone calls,” he assures viewers. It goes on to show specific promises and assurances, quotes from the NSA, stating that no one will be subject to wiretapping without a warrant.
No U.S. person can be the subject of FISA surveillance based solely on First Amendment activities, such as staging public rallies, organizing campaigns, writing critical essays, or expressing personal beliefs.
NSA Statement
The / / Intercept
July 9, 2014
Obama’s remixed statement reverberates throughout.
At the 36 second mark, Anonymous’ claim about warrantless wiretapping begins.
They are listening to your phone calls
We have proof that they are lying
You are the threat that they fear
There follows a clip that appears to be agents discussing what they hear as they listen in to cell phone transmissions, followed by images of social media posts by protesters who saw a vehicle that Anonymous believes holds the agents participating in the warrantless wiretapping.
The warrantless wiretapping allegation is just one more in a string of accusations of human rights violations through several states during the protests that have spanned recent months. Police have been accused of firing non-lethal rounds on peaceful protesters, rushing protesters to get a reaction, and most recently on Friday evening, according to RT, firing sound cannons at peaceful protesters in Durham, North Carolina, telling them to disperse or be arrested.
As for warrantless wiretapping, it has been a subject of some contention in the past few years, and only in September were documents released that show officials maintaining in 2004 that a president has the authority to authorize the wiretapping of Americans at any time he deems it necessary, according to Slate.
The Obama administration has continued to be under fire for suspected wiretapping, especially since admitting in 2013 that it had previously misinformed the Supreme Court about legal standing in a warrantless wiretapping case (NPR).
It’s previously been reported that the NSA is gathering cell phone data, but if Anonymous’ claims stand up in this case, it may be a clear incident of monitoring U.S. citizens without probable cause. If warrantless wiretapping is taking place, it’s not only a concern for those protesting, but for all of America.
[Photo credit: sweet1eafs ]
