FBI Harasses RNC Protesters

FBI counterterrorism officials have been reportedly interviewing activists who plan to protest at the Republican National Convention in New York City. In addition, agents are making unannounced visit's to people's homes, monitoring meetings and web sites, and even subpoenaing individuals in some cases. The actions aim to prevent possible violence at the event, which takes place August 30-September 2.

While officials have every right to investigate those they legitimately believe may cause violence, their actions seem borderline illegal. They have developed lists of potentially dangerous individuals without any clear evidence of wrongdoing. These pre-emptive strikes intimidate protestors from exercising their First Amendment rights, even though the majority of those targeted are peaceful in nature. Just because someone is part of an anti-war group does not mean they are likely to perpetrate violence. Officials are walking a fine line here between preserving security and violating demonstrators' constitutional rights. Why is this operation being considered a "counterterrorism" operation when agents have no evidence that these individuals are planning to do anything but protest? Acting on a credible threat is one thing, but harassing individuals who have done nothing but exercise their political freedoms is quite another.