David Lippman, a musician/actor that tours with his “Shrub” act, has been a victim of U.S. Domestic Spying (see his account below that I received via email). Dave performed here in Salt Lake a few years ago. As the Singing CIA Agent, Dave entertains audiences all over the country with songs like “I Hate Walmart”, Enemy of the Week, Hamburger Hill,Oh Say Can You See?, and The Current Group of Scoundrels.
Dave keeps fans updated with his Shrublog and Shooting from the Lipp.
Dave talked about his experience as being a target of U.S. Domestic Syping on yesterday’s Democracy Now!.
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Friends, I will discuss this legal action today on Democracy Now!, but in the meantime here is the ACLU press release.
FILES SHOW FBI TARGETED FREELANCE JOURNALIST COVERING FTAA MEETINGS IN MIAMI The American Civil Liberties Union Sues the City of Miami Over FTAA Civil Rights Violations FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 4, 2006
CONTACTS:
Rosalind Matos, South Florida Staff Counsel, 305-576-2337, ext. 20 Jeanne Baker, Cooperating Attorney for the ACLU, 305-443-1600 Brandon Hensler, Communications Director, 305-576-2337, ext. 16
MIAMIThe American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Greater Miami Chapter, filed a lawsuit today on behalf of freelance journalist David Lippman. Documents obtained by the ACLU indicate that Lippman was under Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) surveillance for being a “kown protestor w/history” as he traveled from his home in North Carolina to Miami to cover the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) protests.
On November 19, 2003, Lippman’s vehicle was searched, seized and damaged by officers from several law enforcement agencies, without probable cause. FBI agents recruited the local officers to break into his vehicle and then, after damaging the vehicle and disturbing the personal possessions he kept within it, to haul away the vehicle and his possessions.
The ACLU lawsuit cites violations of Lippman’s rights to free press, speech, and assembly, and his right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. The case also alleges that Lippman suffered damage to his physical property as well as emotional and other compensable injuries.
“Spying on Americans who are simply exercising their First Amendment rights is an unconstitutional action by the FBI, and in this case, led to violations of the constitutional rights of an innocent man,” said Rosalind Matos, South Florida Staff Counsel for the ACLU of Florida.
According to the “after-action” report issued by the Miami Police Department (MPD), the damage to Lippman’s vehicle was caused by officers from Broward Sheriffs Office, an FBI Operational Support Team (OST) and MPD. Not only was his vehicle damaged, but as a result of the loss of his vehicle and belongings, Lippman was unable to report on the protests and file a story as a freelance journalist.
“The manner in which the officers dealt with Lippman and his vehicle demonstrates Miami Police Chief Timoney’s inability to have properly trained officers and advise cooperating agencies on when it is, and is not, appropriate to search and seize property,” said Jeanne Baker, Cooperating Attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union. “We hope that the compensation, for the loss of property and rights, that will come from Mr. Lippman’s case will serve as a reminder to police agencies that violations of civil liberties will not be tolerated.”
Named defendants in the case are: The City of Miami; Broward Sheriff Kenneth C. Jenne, II; United States FBI; and individual officers of each agency. The case, David Lippman v. City of Miami et al, was filed in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida by attorneys Rosalind Matos, ACLU South Florida Staff Counsel and Jeanne Baker, Cooperating Attorney for the ACLU Foundation of Florida.
David Lippman v. City of Miami et al is the fifth in a series of lawsuits that the ACLU filed as a result of police actions at the 2003 FTAA Protests. Previous cases include: Carl Kesser & Martha Kesser v. City of Miami et al; Delgado v. Miami-Dade County; Owaki v. City of Miami, et al; and Lorne Battiste, et al v. Broward County Sheriff Ken Jenne et al.
About the ACLU of Florida
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is freedom’s watchdog, working daily in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend individual rights and personal freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For additional information, visit our Web site at: ACLU Florida.
Deanna Dee-Dee Taylor 