Two Oakland police officers working undercover at an anti-war protest in May 2003 got themselves elected to leadership positions in an effort to influence the demonstration, documents released Thursday show.
The department assigned the officers to join activists protesting the U.S. war in Iraq and the tactics that police had used at a demonstration a month earlier, a police official said last year in a sworn deposition.
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The documents showing that police subsequently tried to influence a demonstration were released Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union, as part of a report criticizing government surveillance of political activists since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The ACLU said the documents came from the lawsuit over the police use of force.
Jordan, in his deposition in April 2005, said under questioning by plaintiffs' attorney Jim Chanin that undercover Officers Nobuko Biechler and Mark Turpin had been elected to be leaders in the May 12 demonstration an hour after meeting protesters that day.
Asked who had ordered the officers to infiltrate the group, Jordan said, "I don't know if there is one particular person, but I think together we probably all decided it would be a good idea to have some undercover officers there."
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"I call that being totalitarian," said Jack Heyman, a longshoremen's union member who took part in the May 12 march. He said he was not certain whether he had any contact with the officers that day.
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The ACLU said the Oakland case was one of several instances in which police agencies had spied on legitimate political activity since 2001.
Mark Schlosberg, who directs the ACLU's police policy work and wrote the report released Thursday, cited previously reported instances of spying on groups in Santa Cruz and Fresno in addition to the Oakland case. He called on state Attorney General Bill Lockyer and local police to ensure that law-abiding activist groups don't come under government investigation.
"It's very important that there be regulation up front to prevent these kinds of abuses from occurring," Schlosberg said at a news conference.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Two Oakland police officers working undercover at an anti-war protest in May 2003 got themselves elected to leadership positions in an effort to influence the demonstration, documents released Thursday show.
The department assigned the officers to join activists protesting the U.S. war in Iraq and the tactics that police had used at a demonstration a month earlier, a police official said last year in a sworn deposition.
****************************
The documents showing that police subsequently tried to influence a demonstration were released Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union, as part of a report criticizing government surveillance of political activists since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The ACLU said the documents came from the lawsuit over the police use of force.
Jordan, in his deposition in April 2005, said under questioning by plaintiffs' attorney Jim Chanin that undercover Officers Nobuko Biechler and Mark Turpin had been elected to be leaders in the May 12 demonstration an hour after meeting protesters that day.
Asked who had ordered the officers to infiltrate the group, Jordan said, "I don't know if there is one particular person, but I think together we probably all decided it would be a good idea to have some undercover officers there."
**********************
"I call that being totalitarian," said Jack Heyman, a longshoremen's union member who took part in the May 12 march. He said he was not certain whether he had any contact with the officers that day.
***********************
The ACLU said the Oakland case was one of several instances in which police agencies had spied on legitimate political activity since 2001.
Mark Schlosberg, who directs the ACLU's police policy work and wrote the report released Thursday, cited previously reported instances of spying on groups in Santa Cruz and Fresno in addition to the Oakland case. He called on state Attorney General Bill Lockyer and local police to ensure that law-abiding activist groups don't come under government investigation.
"It's very important that there be regulation up front to prevent these kinds of abuses from occurring," Schlosberg said at a news conference.
Sorry, KS, but the way I'm reading it (and yes, I clicked on the link and read the entire article), the officers were elected to a leadership role in the protest, were spying on the protest and were hoping to influence the protest (which is not good). However, I don't see any indication that the undercover officers 'incited' violence in that protest. The article is, frankly, not very well written, so I see the cause of your confusion. If I am reading correctly, the officers went undercover at a protest in March after there had been violence at another, previous protest in April. The police department fired bean bags and rubber bullets at the crowd in April, not March, and I see no mention of violence at the protest in March at all, involving the undercover officers or otherwise. I also see no mention of undercover police officers having been at the April protest that did involve violence. Please correct me if I am missing something.
Sorry, KS, but the way I'm reading it (and yes, I clicked on the link and read the entire article), the officers were elected to a leadership role in the protest, were spying on the protest and were hoping to influence the protest (which is not good). However, I don't see any indication that the undercover officers 'incited' violence in that protest. The article is, frankly, not very well written, so I see the cause of your confusion. If I am reading correctly, the officers went undercover at a protest in March after there had been violence at another, previous protest in April. The police department fired bean bags and rubber bullets at the crowd in April, not March, and I see no mention of violence at the protest in March at all, involving the undercover officers or otherwise. I also see no mention of undercover police officers having been at the April protest that did involve violence. Please correct me if I am missing something.
I reckon we'd have to see the original documents. But their leadership of a violent protest as spies would seem to point to the tactics employed in the 60s.
If they were spies 1) why would they submit to leadership positions -it's hard to come up with information when you're directing the show 2) why would they allow the demonstration to turn violent, as leaders? 3) you are correct, the violence mentioned was perpretrated by uniformed officers -why would they allow this to happen? 4) why would they infiltrate a PEACE organization, spending taxpayer dollars when they SHOULD be infiltrating terrorist organizations -given the already limited resources for the purpose?
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
4) why would they infiltrate a PEACE organization, spending taxpayer dollars when they SHOULD be infiltrating terrorist organizations -given the already limited resources for the purpose?
Hippies are more easily infiltrated, than are terrorists.
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why would they infiltrate a PEACE organization, spending taxpayer dollars when they SHOULD be infiltrating terrorist organizations -given the already limited resources for the purpose?
Ask any HESBOLAH or Islamic Jihad or Al Queda member. They will tell you that they are for peace too. Ultimately they will tell you that is their goal. Peace under their terms unfortunately. The militant Islamic sects seem to be stuck in the 14th century, with that attitude of my way or death. They had better get it figured out or they will be seeing the world through barbed wire, because the rest of the animals at the big watering hole are tiring of their desire to kill anyone not in line with them, and sooner or later, they will either ease up, or the collective will finally pick up the tree branch and bash them in the noggin.
These PEACE organizations you speak of, when seen in person, as I have here in Phoenix, seem to miss the irony of their leaders screaming "SHUT UP" through a megafone at the other side.
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I don’t think your missing anything, just more liberal ACLU garbage.
" The idea was "to gather the information and maybe even direct them to do something that we want them to do," Jordan said.
This is funny and stupid, if a city official directs them to anything they are responsible for the whole mess no matter how it works out, a huge risk, although intent is left out but that makes it sound so sinister!
The ACLU said the Oakland case was one of several instances in which police agencies had spied on legitimate political activity since 2001.
The Klu Klux Klan, Nazi skin heads, and a host of other groups that Coyote has previously called “domestic Terrorist” (which the are) also have legitimate political activity!
There's no room in this state or anywhere in this country for monitoring the activity of groups merely because they have a political viewpoint."
No more motioning of the The Klu Klux Klan, Nazi skin heads or any other group their then!
At the first demonstration, police fired nonlethal bullets and bean bags at demonstrators who blocked the Port of Oakland's entrance in a protest against two shipping companies they said were helping the war effort
If police fired less lethal (its not called "non lethal", hell my Glock can be “non lethal” again poorly written and informed writers) then they were illegally demonstration and breaking the law, just like hanging a black man or beating up a person of Jewish decent. Sounds like they were “domestic terrorist!”
Funny how if you are objective and play devil’s advocate things look remarkably similar.
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Change…..it’s what is left after taxes.
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I reckon we'd have to see the original documents. But their leadership of a violent protest as spies would seem to point to the tactics employed in the 60s.
Coyote your title says “Undercover Oakland Police incite violent protest”
Please tell me where I can find that undercover police incited violence?
Please post a link if it exists……..or is it just your spin?
Quote:
Originally Posted by kscoyote
If they were spies 1) why would they submit to leadership positions -it's hard to come up with information when you're directing the show
Do you think China would waste time with a private in the army, no they went straight to the top and got out missile tec from Clinton, much more effective.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kscoyote
2) why would they allow the demonstration to turn violent, as leaders?
Did they have it turn violent? Please post the info. And if it did have you ever been in “control” of a mob of people? And since you stating it as fact were these cops THE top “leader” or were they in charge of getting lunch for everyone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by kscoyote
3) you are correct, the violence mentioned was perpretrated by uniformed officers -why would they allow this to happen? 4) why would they infiltrate a PEACE organization, spending taxpayer dollars when they SHOULD be infiltrating terrorist organizations -given the already limited resources for the purpose?
So when the Kly Klux Klan wants to hold a demonstration without permit in front of the local office of the NAACP and the police break them up the police are perpetuating violence?
You really do live in bazarro land.
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So , let me get this straight…..your Honda has 1.6 liters, whereas my bottle of Mountain Dew has 2?
Change…..it’s what is left after taxes.
- Shaken....Not Stirred 2003 Mach I Auto Torch Red - Sold
-1988 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, 331 Trick Flow Stroker with a Tremec 3550....oh yea and a 1.6 liter V-TECH motor to work the convertible top.
- 1966 Inline 6……..the pile of parts car!
Coyote your title says “Undercover Oakland Police incite violent protest”
Please tell me where I can find that undercover police incited violence?
Please post a link if it exists……..or is it just your spin?
Do you think China would waste time with a private in the army, no they went straight to the top and got out missile tec from Clinton, much more effective.
Did they have it turn violent? Please post the info. And if it did have you ever been in “control” of a mob of people? And since you stating it as fact were these cops THE top “leader” or were they in charge of getting lunch for everyone?
So when the Kly Klux Klan wants to hold a demonstration without permit in front of the local office of the NAACP and the police break them up the police are perpetuating violence?
You really do live in bazarro land.
Bizarro-speak is equating Longshoremen with the KKK, Al Quaeda, and Hezbollah.
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Bizarro-speak is equating Longshoremen with the KKK, Al Quaeda, and Hezbollah.
You haven’t answered any of the question I asked………is this another case of you posting your opinion before you fully read the article?
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So , let me get this straight…..your Honda has 1.6 liters, whereas my bottle of Mountain Dew has 2?
Change…..it’s what is left after taxes.
- Shaken....Not Stirred 2003 Mach I Auto Torch Red - Sold
-1988 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, 331 Trick Flow Stroker with a Tremec 3550....oh yea and a 1.6 liter V-TECH motor to work the convertible top.
- 1966 Inline 6……..the pile of parts car!
Oakland pays for police violence at port
Steve Stallone, The Dispatcher (ILWU) March 2006
Oakland police preparing to attack protesters at the APL terminal April 7, 2003. “It’s a shame the city and its taxpayers found themselves in this situation,” Oakland City Attorney John Russo told The Dispatcher. “Policy changes have been made so this unfortunate situation should never happen again.”
Local 10 and peace protesters accept city offer
Almost three years after the bloody police riot at the Port of Oakland that left nine ILWU longshore workers and dozens of anti-war demonstrators injured and scores of protesters and one ILWU business agent arrested, the City of Oakland finally settled the lawsuits against the police. The settlement included not only monetary damages for the injuries and constitutional rights trampled, but new, more restrictive policies on the Oakland Police Department’s (OPD) use of force in protest situations. But the waterfront employers in the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) that colluded with the police in those actions have yet to pay for their crimes.
Shortly after the U. S. military invaded Iraq, peace activists organized a protest at the port to highlight war profiteering by some ship companies. SSA had recently received a no-bid contract to operate the Iraqi port of Um Qasr for the occupying forces and APL had a contract with the U. S. government to ship munitions and other war materiel to Iraq.
Before the first shift Monday, April 7, 2003 they set up picket lines outside the gates at the Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) and American Presidents Line (APL) terminals. The protesters had organized their action publicly, advertising it through flyers and web postings. The employers and the police were aware of it and plotted their response in secret. Documents obtained through the lawsuits’ discovery process revealed that representatives of SSA, APL, the Port of Oakland and the PMA met several days before the demonstration with the Oakland police. Together they toured the APL facility to prepare for the demonstration. Oakland Police Dept. Lieutenant Edward Poulson, in charge of the police response, was granted his request that an APL and Port representative be present at the police command center during the protest, and actually “deputized” an employer representative as part of the police “command and support team” to assist in arresting people.
The documents also show that the police were informed that ILWU longshore workers, upon seeing a picket line, would stand by until an arbitrator ruled on whether or not they were contractually required to cross the line. But at no point did the OPD, the Port of Oakland or any of the employers notify ILWU Local 10 of the meeting or communicate with the local’s officials in preparation for the protest.
Instead, the documents show that the San Francisco Police Dept. told the OPD the Local 10 had taken a public stand against the war and that longshore workers would likely “sympathize with the protesters and participate in the direct action.” Further, according to an investigative report in the May 18, 2003 edition of the Oakland Tribune, the OPD received an “intelligence” report from the California Anti-Terrorism Information Center (CATIC) five days before the demonstration. The CATIC, a state agency staffed with personnel from the FBI, the Defense Intelligence Agnecy and other federal, state and local agencies, warned the police the protesters might turn violent. The CATIC selectively gleaned information from activist websites and list-serves and intercepted email correspondence of ILWU members to support its notions of the protest and protesters.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
The officers in question obviously told officials it was goingto ba a VIOLENT protest, setting off the violence.
Oakland has already agreed to pay, this is the CIVIL SUIT.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
I reckon we'd have to see the original documents. But their leadership of a violent protest as spies would seem to point to the tactics employed in the 60s.
If they were spies 1) why would they submit to leadership positions -it's hard to come up with information when you're directing the show 2) why would they allow the demonstration to turn violent, as leaders? 3) you are correct, the violence mentioned was perpretrated by uniformed officers -why would they allow this to happen? 4) why would they infiltrate a PEACE organization, spending taxpayer dollars when they SHOULD be infiltrating terrorist organizations -given the already limited resources for the purpose?
REREAD MY POST.
The violence was PERPETRATED by UNIFORMED officers.
WHY would they ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN?
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Posted on Mon, Apr. 07, 2003 story:PUB_DESC
Police violence shocks activists, others at Port of Oakland protest
By Dana Hull
Mercury News
``Our guys were standing in one area waiting to go to work, and then the police started firing on the longshoremen,'' said Henry Graham, the president of ILWU Local 10. ``Some were hit in the chest with rubber bullets, and seven of our guys went to the hospital. I don't want to imply that the police deliberately did this, but it doesn't make sense.''
There have been so many anti-war demonstrations in the Bay Area in recent months that they have almost become routine, and most have been peaceful. Monday's events mark the first time that local police have used projectiles to disperse crowds, and many demonstrators said they were stunned that the projectiles were fired at such close range.
``I was just marching in a big circle and the police lowered their guns at us,'' said Scott Fleming, 29, who took off his shirt to reveal four large red and swollen welts on his back. ``I turned to run and I started getting hit with wooden bullets. They just kept shooting at us, and I kept running. I'm a lawyer, and I'm serioulsy considering filing charges.''
The early morning mayhem came as a shock to veteran activists and Oakland leaders alike. Oakland was one of the first cities in the region to pass a resolution condeming the U.S.-led war with Iraq, and the City Council has a progressive reputation. Some well known public officials even turned out to participate in the early morning protest.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Perhaps I should have typed "Incited violence on protesters" but I didn't know if it would fit in the title.
Maybe it would have been clearer.
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Undercover Oakland Police incite violent protest 
