A bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives called H.R. 350, also known as the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA) of 2021. Leftists and progressives need to hold the line on this discussion of “domestic terrorism.” We need to OPPOSE H.R. 350.
The purpose of the DTPA is described as follows:
To authorize dedicated domestic terrorism offices within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to analyze and monitor domestic terrorist activity and require the Federal Government to take steps to prevent domestic terrorism.
The last time the govt formed agencies to defend against domestic terrorism, Barack Obama used them to destroy Occupy Wall Street, the most significant peaceful, grass roots protest movement in recent history.
We do not need these new “domestic terrorism offices.”
Indeed, we already have too many.
We already have the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs). These are 200 offices around the country that coordinate anti-terrorism efforts between the DOJ, DHS, FBI, and local law enforcement. “When it comes to investigating terrorism, they do it all,” their website says, “chase down leads, gather evidence, make arrests, provide security for special events, collect and share intelligence, and respond to threats and incidents at a moment’s notice.”
The US Department of Homeland Security also has so-called “Fusion Centers” set up in every state and in every large metro area. These state-owned and operated centers “serve as focal points in states and major urban areas for the receipt, analysis, gathering and sharing of threat-related information” between state, local and federal and private sector partners.
The Fusion Centers and the JTTFs were specifically set up to “help protect our nation by serving as valuable conduits for sharing vital homeland security information and countering domestic terrorism.”
But wait, there’s more!
The US government also has a Domestic Security Alliance Council, perhaps the most fascistic and dangerous agency of all. The DSAC is a “public-private partnership” between Big Business and Big Government that aims to make sure the rabble don’t interfere with Capitalist Enterprise. It is a three-way joint entity that combines the FBI with DHS and US private industry:
The DSAC program has grown to include more than 509 member companies representing almost every critical sector and over 50 unique business industries…DSAC increases coordination among FBI Headquarters divisions and FBI field offices to strengthen collaboration between the federal government and the private sector.
Now, if you know even a little about fascism, you probably know that the “official” or at least the most accepted definition of fascism is a government that represents the “marriage” between the powers of the State and those of private corporations. Which is EXACTLY what the DSAC was formed to do.
The DSAC was officially created in 2011 and specifically charged with tackling Occupy Wall Street. You see, the “Private Industry” component of the DSAC included Wall Street banks. In fact, recently released documents from the Obama Administration show the cops and DHS working for and with banks to target, arrest, and politically disable peaceful American citizens.
Some of the over 300 people arrested at Occupy Wall Street during the DHS / FBI / NYPD coordinated joint crackdown.
All anti-terror legislation eventually gets used against the Left.
Obama used these existing anti-domestic terrorist forces to CRUSH the peaceful Occupy Wall Street movement nationwide. And they did it in one single, coordinated assault. Local and Federal forces cracked skulls, rounded up “suspects” and bulldozed encampments from coast to coast in one gigantic, coordinated Krystallnacht.
The DSAC and Fusion centers surveilled and then attacked OWS encampments in major cities such as New York, Chicago, Oakland and Seattle, as well as regional metros like Austin, Anchorage, Richmond, Jackson, Denver and Memphis.
The clearing action was executed in all places simultaneously with military precision, and ended with the OWS movement being “exterminated” by the next day.
OWS protesters were beaten and gassed repeatedly by police across the country.
But President Obama was not the first, and he certainly will not be the last, President to designate peaceful protesters as domestic terrorists.
When Trump had his infamous call with Governors to urge them to crack down on BLM protesters last summer, he referred to that Obama action and called it a model to be followed.
“This is like Occupy Wall Street. It was a disaster until one day somebody said, ‘That’s enough.’ And they just went in and wiped them out…You get them out of here within two hours.’ And it was bedlam for an hour. Then after that, everything was beautiful.”
Police used tear gas to keep Occupy Oakland protesters at bay while they demolishes their encampment. (Source: sfgate.com)
I know a lot of self-described liberals and progressives are calling for action against the “domestic terrorists” of the Right. Be careful what you wish for!! Whatever is developed to be used against the Right ALWAYS winds up getting used against the Left.
You may see a huge difference between Occupy Wall Street and Boogaloo, between Black Lives matter and the Proud Boys, BUT HERE’S THE THING: the Government doesn’t see a difference.
And that, in the end, is what really matters when it comes to our freedom.
EuroYankee is a dual citizen, US-EU. He travels around Europe, writing on politics, culture and such. He pays his US taxes so he gets to weigh in on what is happening in the States.
