Enemies of the State? Government Surveillance of Communities of Color

The National Security Agency is tracking our phone calls and monitoring our emails, Web searches and other online activity — with the aid of companies like Verizon, Facebook and Google.

But what does all of this mean for communities of color?

The federal government has a long history of spying on people of color to discredit racial justice movements. During the 1970s, the government passed legislation to rein in these programs. But since Sept. 11, those safeguards have been eroded, and many in these communities are now under both digital and physical surveillance.

This spying has affected the Muslim-American community in particular. In 2002, the New York Police Department created a surveillance program targeting local Muslim Americans, forcing the community to live in fear. The program continues to this day.

Join us at one of D.C.’s premier cultural venues for a lively and wide-ranging panel discussion on how local and federal spying operations impact movements for social and racial justice. The conversation will also explore ways to fight back to protect our online digital rights and Internet freedom.

Morgan State University Professor Jared Ball, the host of the radio program Super Funky Soul Power Hour, will moderate the discussion. Our amazing panelists include former political prisoner and Black Panther Party leader Dhoruba Bin-Wahad, ACLU D.C. Program Director Seema Sadanandan, communications specialist and media activist Adwoa Masozi, Desis Rising Up and Moving Legal and Policy Director Fahd Ahmed, May First/People Link founder Alfredo Lopez and other special guests.

This event is presented by Free Press, the Center for Media Justice and Voices for Internet Freedom.

The event is free and open to the public but you must RSVP to reserve your seat. Space is limited. Food and drinks are available to order during the event.

This discussion is a prelude to the Rally Against Mass Surveillance on October 26. More information about the rally is available here.