FC: FBI flyer links defenders of Constitution with terrorists

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

A disturbing flyer puportedly authored by the FBI's Phoenix anti-terrorism 
task force has been circulating in the conservative community. The flyer 
instructs the reader to report as a possible terrorist anyone who asks why 
they were stopped by police or anyone who dares to defend "the U.S. 
Constitution against federal [sic] government." See it for yourself:
http://www.keepandbeararms.com/images/FBI-MCSOTerroristFlyer-Front.jpg
http://www.keepandbeararms.com/images/FBI-MCSOTerroristFlyer-Back.jpg

So I gave the FBI field office a call. FBI spokesman Ed Hall confirmed the 
flyer was produced by the joint anti-terrorism task force in Phoenix. But 
he said it dealt with domestic terrorism: "That flyer was put out two years 
ago. Someone picked it up, and put it on the Internet like it was put out 
this week."

Hall admitted the section that said anyone spotting a defender of the U.S. 
Constitution "should call the Joint Terrorism Task Force" was perhaps a 
tiny bit ill-advised. "It could have been a bit better foundation worded 
saying you're not a right-wing extremist if you defend the Constitution... 
or if you ask a police officer why they're stopping you. There's some 
misinterpretation there."

He added: "Not that a person who defends the Constitution is a criminal or 
terrorist, or a person who askes you, 'Why did you stop me' may be a 
terrorist, but certain things, I don't want to use the word common, certain 
characteristics that these people who were legitimately investigated 
reflect it."

-Declan

---

> Source:
> Sierra Times
> http://www.SierraTimes.com/
>
> The FBI, Sheriff & County Attorney are Going After "Constitutional Terrorists"
>
> by Angel Shamaya - KeepAndBearArms.com
>
> The Phoenix Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Maricopa County
> Sheriff's Office (Greater Phoenix, Arizona), and the Maricopa County
> Attorney are handing our flyers asking the recipients to help them
> fight domestic terrorism. Called the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the
> program was created, presumably, to help preserve the American
> way of life, right? - Nope.
>
> http://www.keepandbeararms.com/angel/articles/consterrorist.htm
> KeepandBearArms
>
> Public Servants Going After "Constitutional Terrorists"?
> by Angel Shamaya
>
> November 14, 2001
>
> KeepAndBearArms.com -- The Phoenix Federal Bureau of Investigation, the
> Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (Greater Phoenix, Arizona), and the
> Maricopa County Attorney are handing out flyers asking the recipients to
> help them fight domestic terrorism.  I received one of these flyers this
> past weekend at the Arizona "Freedom in the 21st Century" gathering. One
> member of the Sheriff's Posse Reserve in attendance said he'd seen the
> flyer before and that it is legitimate.  [I will be getting verification
> before this report goes live on our site, including recording phone calls
> to these people.]
>
> Called the  Joint Terrorism Task Force, the program was created,
> presumably, to help preserve the American way of life, right?  In part,
> probably.  However, it also looks like it's a disinformation campaign to
> paint least a few groups of Real Americans as domestic terrorists. Among
> other things, the dynamic trio is asking people:
>
> "If you encounter any of the following, Call the Joint Terrorism Task Force":
>
> "defenders of the US Constitution against federal government and the UN"
>
> [That describes many civil liberties groups and most gun rights and
> American Sovereignty groups in existence -- and, by extension, their members.]
>
> "Groups of individuals engaging in para-military training"
>
> [Such as, perhaps, shooting your semi-automatic "assault weapon" with some
> friends out in the desert?"]
>
> Also being sought are  "Common Law Movement Proponents" who
>
> "Request authority for a stop"
>
> [That's illegal now?]
>
> "Make numerous references to the US Constitution"
>
> [That's illegal now?]
>
> "Attempt to 'police the police'"
>
> [That's illegal now?]
>
> And let's not forget the other potential "domestic terrorists" being
> sought.  We really need to watch out for these people:
>
> "Lone Individuals"
>
> [Do you meet that description?]
>
> "Rebels"
>
> [Know any gun rights activist who doesn't have at least a touch of rebel
> pumping through the old bloodstream?]
>
> Be sure and notice the following two things on the flyer, as well:
>
> 1)  There is NOT ONE MENTION of "Islamic Fundamentalists" anywhere.
>
> 2)  Defenders of the US Constitution and the common law from which it grew
> are being classified on the same level as the bottom-feeding Skinheads,
> Nazis and the KKK.
>
>
> READ THE FLYER FOR YOURSELF
>
> The flyer is a tri-fold, so you'll have to turn your head sideways to read
> one of the sections.
>
> Front Page
> http://www.keepandbeararms.com/images/FBI-MCSOTerroristFlyer-Front.jpg
>
> Back Page
> http://www.keepandbeararms.com/images/FBI-MCSOTerroristFlyer-Back.jpg
>
> NOTE:  The far right side of the above "Front Page" is the actual front of
> the tri-fold flyer.
> The far left side of the above "Back Page" -- the part that mentions the
> 'defenders of the
> US Constitution' -- is the inside flap... the first thing you see when you
> open the flyer.
>
> CONTACT THE PEOPLE PUSHING THIS "PROGRAM"
>
> FBI Phoenix Office
>
> Website:  http://phoenix.fbi.gov/
>  Email:  phoenix () fbi gov
>  Special Agent in Charge - Guadalupe Gonzalez
>
> FBI's "Civil Rights" Website:
>  http://phoenix.fbi.gov/contact/fo/phnx/pxcivil.htm
>
> FBI's "Counterterrorism" Website:
>  http://phoenix.fbi.gov/contact/fo/phnx/pxterr.htm
>
> FBI Arizona Regional Offices:
>  http://phoenix.fbi.gov/contact/fo/phnx/pxterrit.htm
>
> The Maricopa Sheriff's Office
>
> Website:  http://www.mcso.org/
>
> Feedback form for Sheriff Joe "Give 'em green lunch meat" Arpaio:
>  Via Website: http://www.mcso.org/submenu.asp?file=public
>  Via Email:  complaints () mcso maricopa gov, information () mcso maricopa gov
>
> Maricopa County Attorney
>
> Richard M. Romley, who shamelessly promotes himself on this taxpayer-funded
> site as "America's Unsung Hero":
>  http://www.maricopa.gov/attorney/MCAOhome.asp
>
> You can tell him what an American Hero you think he is at:
>  http://www.maricopa.gov/feedback/feedback.asp

---




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