1971 'CITIZEN'S COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE FBI' COINTELPRO
Jim Meyer2019, 1971 'CITIZEN'S COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE FBI' COINTELPRO
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Abstract
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The 1971 Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI revealed the existence of COINTELPRO, a secret FBI program that targeted anti-war and civil rights activists through illegal surveillance and harassment. The Commission's actions exposed extensive government overreach and sparked national debate over the limits of surveillance and civil liberties, ultimately contributing to reforms in intelligence practices. This historic break-in demonstrated the urgency for accountability in government actions and shaped subsequent legislative measures to protect citizens' rights.
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