Are you under government surveillance for your political activities? You have a right to know -- and the NYCLU has launched a campaign to help you take advantage of that right.
Documents recently obtained by the ACLU show that federal and state law enforcement agencies are using expanded powers granted after 9/11 to target peaceful political protest groups for infiltration and surveillance.
New York has a long history of robust political dissent. In order to uncover possible government spying on political dissenters, the NYCLU has filed Freedom of Information requests< on behalf of itself and fourteen of New York's most prominent political and religious groups. These requests should force the FBI and local law enforcement officials to turn over their records on these groups.
The federal Freedom of Information Act and the New York Freedom of Information Law are powerful legal tools to compel the government to disclose information. If you are a person or organization engaged in political protest or dissent, you can file your own request to find out if the government is spying on you.
Click here to download the NYCLU's guide to filing your own Spy Files Request (requires the free Adobe Reader) -- or use the online version below.
How to file a request
It is intended to provide general guidance only. If you have specific legal questions, consult a lawyer.
About the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
To whom can I send a request if I think I’m being spied on?
How much does it cost to make a request?
What kind of information will I get?
How do I make a request?
How quickly will I get a response?
Can I appeal an adverse response?
Sample FOIA/FOIL request letters
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