posted 05-28-2001 07:45 PM            

"The agents demanded computer records identifying everyone who had posted or visited the IMC web site on April 20 or 21. The sealed order also prevented the media center from publishing anything about the court order or FBI investigation on the IMC website or otherwise revealing it's existence to anyone".

I've been sitting on this for a while now, but it's important to understand that by simply visiting this particular website, you may wind up being investigated by the FBI.

Interesting to see how Federal agencies intimidate and investigate internet forum participants, but we never hear of it because, well, they don't want us too.

So much for a free press.

posted 05-28-2001 11:05 PM            

Here's what concerns me. Let's say somebody waltzes in here and starts condoning criminal behavior. Like sleeping with 14 year old girls, for example...

Next thing you know, somebody from the FBI goes before a judge and convinces him to grant a secret order compelling Thermit to turn over a list revealing every person's identity who post or visits this site, on the grounds that there is a child molester among our ranks.

This thing with IMC isn't even that solid. This is clearly another one the FBI's famous intimidation tactics. They seem to have a long history of targeting political enemies, as opposed to legitimate criminals...

posted 05-31-2001 03:36 PM            

quote:

---

from Salon:

On April 21, protesters from across the U.S. and Canada were gathering in Quebec to protest the Free Trade Area of the Americas summit meeting. While police amassed tear gas and riot gear, protesters hatched plans to take down a two and a half mile-long fence erected to keep them out of sight and sound during the meeting.

At the same time, thousands of miles away in Seattle, activities at the Independent Media Center were winding down after a long day of coordinating a joint protest in Blaine, Wash. Only around three people were left in the office at 7 p.m. when a knock came at the door.

"FBI agents came in and flashed their badges," recalls Devin Theriot-Orr, an IMC volunteer and legal team co-coordinator. "They wanted to ask us some questions. You don't get visits from the FBI every day, so people were definitely pretty freaked out."

The FBI agents wanted to see "all user connection logs" from the IMC's Web site from a period between April 20 and 21. Within that time, the agents charged, someone had posted secret, stolen documents -- one of which was said to contain details of President Bush's travel itinerary in Canada -- on the IMC's News Wire bulletin boards.

---