ACLU complains about surveillance

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union has sent letters to Oregon’s two senators and a congressman to complain about federal surveillance of an anti-pesticide rally in Eugene at the end of May. The ACLU Oregon chapter told Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, and Congressman Peter DeFazio, that Federal Protective Service agents were reported to be involved in undercover surveillance at the rally. The ACLU says the Federal Protective Service only has authority to protect federal buildings — not participate in undercover surveillance. Eugene police arrested a demonstrator after a tip from the federal agency. DeFazio’s office says the ACLU letter will be forwarded to the federal General Services Administration for a... [read full story]