Leaked documents reveal the FBI has targeted Black activists

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    Leaked documents reveal the FBI has targeted Black activists

    Black activist and organizations should never be targeted for standing against injustice. Recently leaked FBI documents references a covert plan to “neutralize” the imaginary threat of “Black Identity Extremists” with a program codenamed “IRON FIST,” where undercover operatives infiltrate and surveil Black anti-police violence movements. Black movement leaders from Dr. King and Malcolm X have been unconstitutionally targeted, attacked, jailed, or even killed in their efforts to confront racism, police brutality, and police violence. 

    Michael C. McGarrity, the director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, testified the FBI is no longer using the baseless “Black Identity Extremist” term. However, the contents of leaked FBI documents that state the bureau’s official counterterrorism priorities have included “Black Identity Extremists” and not white nationalists. The FBI must be held accountable for misleading Congress as well as the public in the face of the two-year anniversary of the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the recent white nationalist violence in El Paso, Texas.

    Democratic members of the House must use every tool at their disposal to demand the FBI completely discontinue the use the “Black Identity Extremist” designation and dismantle the “IRON FIST” program.

    Honorable Elijah Cummings, 

    Honorable Bennie G. Thompson,

    and Honorable Jerry Nadler,

    Here is the Petition:

    In the wake of the two-year anniversary of the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the white nationalist violence in El Paso, Texas, we are urging you to act quickly and decisively following revelations that the FBI is still using the “Black Identity Extremist” designation, and using a covert program by the name of “Iron Fist” to target and criminalize Black activist that dissent. 

    We along with several other civil, digital, and social justice organizations seek to work with your office to dismantle the “Iron Fist” program and compel the FBI to be truthful about the baseless use of the “Black Identity Extremist” designation. The nation has been at risk due to the FBI downplaying the most violent domestic terror threat in the U.S. — white supremacy. Black activist and organizations should never be targeted for standing against injustice.