- Because someone might be listening.
- Because you are not only responsible for your own security, but that of the people you work with and care
about.
- Because your email is not automatically secure.
- Because you might be handing out your account password every single time you log in.
- Because you might not only be implicating yourself in direct action, but others as well.
- Because there are people out there who might use your information to damage you and to damage our movements.
...and for many other reasons
A lot of people in the activist community have come to realize
that security is important in all aspects of our lives: when we talk
on the phone, who we meet with and what we discuss, who we plan
actions with, and how we connect to our network accounts to check
email and surf the net.
Activists and community organizers are watched, bugged and monitored more frequently that we care to know about.
From
the histories of AIM and the Black Panthers under COINTELPRO to the current right-wing attacks on immigrants and
refugees... From the APEC, WTO, FTAA, and other anti-globalization protests - it is apparent over the history of
progressive movements that the security state has a high degree of interest in not only surveilling, but also
disrupting and destroying efforts at social change. New "anti-terrorism" laws have expanded the FBI and RCMP/CSIS
ability to watch and infiltrate organizations, and harass and arrest individuals. Activities that were legal two years
ago, are quickly becoming illegal due to huge shifts in basic civil rights law and the decimation of constitutional
agreements.
It is because of this, that this site has been online in one form or another since 1999. As activists and
organizers who have had experience with security matters over the years, we have tried to put together information,
suggestions and ideas that would be of most use to community organizers from all backgrounds. We welcome any
feedback
or sugggestions and are always looking for contributions to this site.
