#ProtestRights

[kristynguyen7]

Blog Post #10 - Week 13 (due 4/24) 

Tweeting, Protesting, and Policing Free Speech 

How did the Patriot Act institutionalize previously illegal surveillance practices, and what are the implications for civil liberties? 

The Patriot Act formalized many surveillance practices previously conducted unlawfully, such as unauthorized wiretapping and email monitoring. By reducing the legal standards for obtaining FISA warrants, the Act essentially granted federal agencies near-automatic surveillance powers under vague justifications like “foreign intelligence.” This expansion eroded civil liberties, weakening the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches. As Parenti notes, “the cumulative overall effect of such measures is corrosive of popular democratic rights and traditions” (2003, p. 200), signifying a dangerous normalization of state overreach in the name of national security. 

In what ways did government surveillance initiatives like TIA and SEVIS redefine the relationship between the state and ordinary citizens, particularly immigrants? 

Programs like Total Information Awareness (TIA) and SEVIS dramatically reshaped the state-citizen relationship by transforming everyday behavior into data points for suspicion and control. SEVIS, for instance, turned universities into surveillance tools, requiring them to report foreign student activities. TIA sought to integrate all aspects of civilian life - from health records to library use - into a massive database. These efforts institutionalize distrust and racial profiling, particularly targeting immigrants and non-citizens. As Parenti argues, such surveillance “subordinate[s] the population” (2003, p. 203), creating a society where being watched becomes the norm, not the exception. 

What does the failure of the TIPS program reveal about public attitudes toward mass surveillance, and how did it reflect broader concerns about state power? 

The public backlash against the Terrorism Information and Prevention System (TIPS), which aimed to recruit citizens as informants, revealed deep unease about mass surveillance and state overreach. The program’s failure, despite high-level support, underscored Americans’ resistance to becoming instruments of state control, especially in their private lives. As Parenti notes, the program’s premise - a society “where citizens mistrust each other” and rely on unchecked state power - was fundamentally flawed (2003, p. 204). TIPS’ collapse showed that even post-9/11, the public maintained critical limits on how far they would tolerate surveillance, especially when it blurred into authoritarianism. 

To what extent does the criminalization of Twitter-based protest coordination reflect broader concerns about the erosion of free speech in digital spaces? 

The criminalization of Elliot Madison and Michael Wallschlaeger’s Twitter activity highlights a troubling trend where digital free speech intersects with law enforcement overreach. As Power notes, Madison’s lawyer called the charges “absolutely protected speech” (2010, p. 2).  The incident reflects fears that tools used for public assembly are being reframed as criminal threats. The irony is stark when Power recalls that “the State Department asked Twitter to delay scheduled maintenance” during Iranian protests, supporting the same conduct abroad that was punished as home (2010, p. 2). This contradiction suggests a selective application of free speech, especially when dissent challenges domestic authority. 

How does the vague language of federal anti-riot statutes allow for subjective and potentially abusive legal interpretations? 

Federal anti-riot statutes, such as 18 USC §2101, are criticized for their vagueness and potential to criminalize lawful dissent. Power writes that the law enables prosecution for merely attempting to “organize, promote, encourage, participate in, or carry on a riot” (2010, p. 3), a language so broad it risks encompassing peaceful protest coordination. Lawyer Martin Stolar warns this “starts to criminalize dissent, to conflate terrorism with demonstrations” (Power, 2010, p. 3). The undefined scope allows law enforcement to use these laws preemptively or punitively, especially against marginalized or politically unpopular groups, undermining constitutional protections for protest and free expression. 

Word Count: 481 

Parenti, C. (2003). Fear as Institution: 9/11 and Surveillance Triumphant. In The Soft Cage. Basic Books.

Power, M. (2010). How your Twitter account could land you in jail. Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/03/police-twitter-riots-social-media-activists/

[dailybyte]

#blog #article #freepalastine #needjustice #freepalastine

[nolan-higdon]

🚨 Exposed: AI Is Faking the News About LA Protests 🚨 In this clip from The Disinfo Detox, we dive into how AI-generated deepfakes and disinformation are being weaponized to distort coverage of protests in Los Angeles. From fabricated footage to misleading narratives, powerful interests are using AI to discredit activists and reshape public perception.

We reveal how these tactics mirror past media manipulation—but with terrifying new tools—and why critical media literacy is more essential than ever.

🎙️ Want the full story? Watch the full episode on YouTube or subscribe on Substack: 👉 https://nolanhigdon.substack.com

💥 Support independent media that exposes propaganda and defends truth: ✅ Like this video ✅ Subscribe to the channel ✅ Drop a comment ✅ Share with your network

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVYSNGHrMg8

[munaeem]

ICE Arrests Pro-Palestinian Activist: A Threat to Free Speech?

Hey, Did You Hear About This ICE Bust? So, picture this: it’s Saturday night, March 8, 2025, and Mahmoud Khalil—a Palestinian green card holder and Columbia University grad—is chilling in his apartment near campus. Suddenly, ICE agents roll up, cuff him, and haul him off. Why? Well, he was a big name in last year’s pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia, negotiating between students and admins…

[tmarshconnors]

Reflections on COVID Lockdowns etc

Back in 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 lockdowns, the world seemed to slip into a surreal state of mass compliance. Governments enacted measures that were unprecedented in scope, all in the name of public health. Many of us, however, saw it differently. We weren’t oblivious to the risks of the virus, but we questioned the extreme measures being taken—the constant fear-mongering, the lockdowns, the mandates. When we banged our drums, metaphorically and literally, to sound the alarm, few wanted to listen. Today, as the world grapples with new challenges, it feels eerily familiar.

In 2020, if you dared to question the narrative, the response was swift and unforgiving. We were labeled ��conspiracy theorists”, and “dangerous extremists”. The sheer number of people who accepted the government’s line without question was staggering. When we attended protests to voice our concerns, we were stormed by police, arrested, and in some cases, locked up simply for exercising our right to free speech. Many healthcare workers, who had once been hailed as heroes, were cast aside for speaking out against policies they believed were harming, not helping.

What’s happening now feels like a continuation of that same story. The tactics may have shifted, but the playbook remains largely unchanged. Back then, it was about controlling the pandemic response; now, it's about controlling the narrative around everything from climate policy to digital currencies. The powers that be push harder when they see that people will comply without question. It feels like we're living in the book of “1984” by George Orwell.

For those of us who chose not to comply with mandates—whether it was refusing to wear a mask or opting out of the vaccine the social cost was high. We weren’t just punished by authorities; we were ostracised by our communities. Friends and family members disowned us. I had. Many heated arguments with one of my aunts about how I was placing my Grandmother in harms way by refusing to comply to having the vaccine.

   Social media platforms silenced us for daring to share alternative viewpoints. Yes I am looking at you FACEBOOK! Many of us were spat on, threatened, and assaulted for simply choosing a different path.

Even politicians and celebrities piled on, openly declaring war on those who refused to comply. The vitriol was shocking, and the fact that so many people cheered it on was even more disturbing. The narrative was clear: dissenters were not just wrong, they were dangerous, and they needed to be dealt with harshly.

Looking back, it's easy to see why we're still in this mess today. The events of 2020 set a dangerous precedent. When people accept the erosion of their freedoms in the name of safety, it opens the door for even more extreme measures in the future. Governments, corporations, and global organisations like the World Economic Forum (WEF) have taken note. The more compliance they see, the bolder they become.

We shared information about the WEF's agenda and its vision for the future—one that includes greater control over our lives through digital IDs, surveillance, and centralised power. But instead of sparking meaningful debate, those warnings were met with bans, censorship, and more ridicule. The system wasn’t interested in dialogue; it was interested in silencing dissent.

Despite everything, there are signs of hope. More people are waking up to the reality that they’ve been led down a dangerous path. The cracks in the official narrative are becoming harder to ignore, and the chorus of voices calling for accountability is growing louder. But it’s still not enough.

We’re at a critical juncture, and the lessons of 2020 need to be remembered. The same tactics of fear, division, and control are being deployed today, just in different contexts. If we don’t stand up now, the consequences could be far-reaching.

The fight isn’t over, but it’s encouraging to see more people questioning, resisting, and refusing to be silenced. The world may not have listened back in 2020, but the drums are still beating, and this time, I hope the sound is impossible to ignore.

[stingscustom]

Raise your voice, know your rights. Stand Proud, Stay Safe is your essential guide to navigating protests with purpose. A must-have for allies and activists, it breaks down vital laws across the U.S. Equip yourself for change. Available now on Amazon. Survival is resistance. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3PG2BVC

[aanews69]

Protestors Face Unprecedented Charges: A Fight for Free Speech or Public Safety? Protestors Face Unprecedented Charges: A Fight for Free Speech or Public Safety? #GoldenGateProtest #ProtestRights #PublicSafety #ChargesFaced #QuestionableTreatment #BayBridge78 #FalseImprisonment #LegalBattle #JeffWozniak #ProtestImpact #DAJenkins - Subscribe👇: https://sub.dnpl.us/AANEWS/ - Spoil yourself 👉: https://inspiredgear.vista.page/ - #aanews #aanews69 #news #newsupdate #newstoday #todaysnews

[npzlawyersforimmigration]

Legal Risks for Non-Citizens in U.S. Protests

https://visaserve.com/navigating-the-nuances-of-the-i-94-form-a-guide-for-nonimmigrants-in-the-u-s/

#immigration #knowyourrights #protestrights #removalproceedings #deportation #noncitizens #GazaConflict #freepalestine #IsraeliPalestinianConflict

[tusouthafrica]

R2K 4 SA

Article by: Isaac Smoler Schatz

On Tuesday, May 21st, we went to the Right2Know Campaign office in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The organization's core tenets focus on protest rights, communication rights, and participation in civil society. The scope of activities and projects in progress span from organizing protest marches in the Gauteng Province (which contains Johannesburg and Pretoria), driving litigation proceedings against telecom corporations and government agencies, and providing legal consulting and support for under-served groups.

We had the opportunity to meet with Thami Nkosi, Gauteng Province Campaigns Organizer, who explained the organization’s mission, some of the actions they’ve taken so far, and insights into the dense political history of South Africa’s young democracy. Although he condemned many practices by both politicians and civilians, he did so in such an eloquent and well-articulated manner that his passion, frustration, and hope for what the future holds for political discourse in this country showed. He stated that despite the effects of corruption permeating the executive and legislative branches of government, the bastion of democratic hope is alive thanks to the judiciary. Right2Know seeks amendments to the Protection of State Information Bill and opposes other legislation and policies that broaden state secrecy. In the private sector, R2K advocates for closer government oversight and regulation of telecom giants like MTN-SA, Vodacom, and Cell C who are culpable for some of the lack of accessibility to information due to price fixing and unreliable service for rural customers. Thami praised the judicial system that has delivered critical decisions ensuring the integrity of the other branches of government for its accountability to the people of South Africa.

As a CSI major on this journalism program, R2K definitely appealed to me and got me excited about the kind of activism Thami and the rest of his team continue to demonstrate.

[edenprime]

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[tmarshconnors]

 Its Easier to Take YOUR Away Rights…

Imagine trying to play a game where you don’t know the rules. No one told you how to win or what moves are allowed, yet you’re expected to compete. Sounds frustrating, right? This is what it feels like when you’re expected to navigate life without knowing your rights. The less you know, the easier it is for those in power to manipulate the outcome. Unfortunately, this analogy hits close to home for many in the UK, as our education system often falls short in teaching students about their rights.

In many schools across the UK, education on rights and government the study of our legal system, democratic principles, and the rights guaranteed under UK law is sorely lacking. I only learn what I know by reading. Students might learn about Parliament, the role of the Prime Minister, or the basics of democracy, but how often do they delve into the specifics of the Human Rights Act, the Equality Act, or civil liberties? Rarely do they engage in discussions about their right to protest, their right to privacy, or protections against discrimination. Oh, how can I forget to mention freedom of speech 

Even fewer students leave school with a deep understanding of how these rights apply to their everyday lives.

History shows us time and again that the erosion of rights often begins with ignorance. As the English poet Thomas Gray in his 1742 Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College once “said In knowing nothing, life is most delightful"  In other words Ignorance Is bliss. For example, in the early 20th century, women in the UK fought tirelessly for their right to vote, a right that many took for granted once it was achieved. Yet even today, voter apathy remains high, particularly among young people, many of whom are unaware of how crucial their participation is in shaping society.

The UK has seen a steady expansion of state surveillance powers in recent years, particularly through laws like the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (the "Snooper's Charter"). These measures were introduced with little public outcry, in part because many people didn’t fully understand their right to privacy under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Had there been greater awareness of these rights, there might have been stronger resistance to such sweeping changes.

The Consequences of an Uninformed Public

When people don’t know their rights, they are less likely to stand up for themselves when those rights are violated. This is the main reason I become a Justice FreeSpeech Advocate. The Government overreach, unlawful surveillance, censorship, discrimination—these are all easier to justify when the population is unaware of the limits placed on authority by the law.

I recommend that you watch the video on YouTube called “What the Government isn’t telling you about facial recognition” By Big Brother Watch It’s a eye opener for those who was still not “awake” yet.

Moreover, a lack of civic education leads to disengagement. If you don’t understand how the government works or what your rights are, why would you feel compelled to vote, participate in protests, or engage in your community? This disengagement serves those in power by making it easier to pass policies that benefit the few at the expense of the many.

To protect our rights, we must first understand them. That means bringing rights education back to the forefront in our schools. it’s essential to foster a culture of curiosity and awareness. Rights are not static they can be expanded or diminished depending on public action (or inaction). 

When these rights are ignored or downplayed in education, it creates a vulnerable population that is less equipped to protect itself against overreach and injustice. The lack of knowledge around these rights often leads to apathy, allowing erosion of protections that were hard-fought for by previous generations. Understanding our rights is the first step in protecting them, ensuring that we can participate fully and equally in society.

Ultimately, the protection of our rights depends on us. We can’t wait for someone else to teach us; we must seek out this knowledge ourselves and demand that our educational systems equip future generations with the tools they need to understand and protect their rights. Because when we know our rights, we become powerful, and a powerful, informed public is the cornerstone of any thriving democracy.