To: John V. Kelly, Inspector General, Department of Homeland Security, The United States House of Representatives, and The United States Senate
Congress: Protect Our Right to Protest
Every person has the right to protest our government. Congress must investigate the Department of Homeland Security circulating data collected about the peaceful Families Belong Together protests, and work to ensure protests are not impeded by the Trump administration.
Why is this important?
On June 30, 2018 hundreds of thousands of peaceful protestors took the streets in over 750 locations calling for an end to the Trump Administration's cruel policy of forcibly separating children from their families at the border.
The Intercept reports that the Department of Homeland Security received data on the protests from LookingGlass, a government contractor, and circulated that data to offices and agencies within their department. There was no reason for the government to collect this data, or share it with any law enforcement agencies as the protestors did not break any laws or pose any threats to this country. This is a glaring infringement on personal privacy by the federal government and its contractors.
Congress and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General must protect our rights to free speech and assembly by holding hearings and investigating this improper collection and use of our data, and holding those responsible accountable.
The Intercept reports that the Department of Homeland Security received data on the protests from LookingGlass, a government contractor, and circulated that data to offices and agencies within their department. There was no reason for the government to collect this data, or share it with any law enforcement agencies as the protestors did not break any laws or pose any threats to this country. This is a glaring infringement on personal privacy by the federal government and its contractors.
Congress and the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General must protect our rights to free speech and assembly by holding hearings and investigating this improper collection and use of our data, and holding those responsible accountable.