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Indybay Feature
FBI making visits in the East Bay
Know your rights when dealing with police and federal agents.
The FBI makes a visit in Oakland seeking information on Joseph Buddenberg of the AETA 4.
This week, the FBI made a home visit seeking to question an unnamed person in Oakland about Joseph Buddenberg of the AETA 4. Buddenberg was indicted on Animal Enterprise Terrorism charges in 2009 as part of the case, charged with participating in a protest campaign against UC-Berkeley animal researchers. The case was thrown out just over a year ago. The government has not officially declared the case closed and has the option to re-indict, however there has been little if any visible movement in the case until this incident.
This is the report of the person who answered the door for the FBI:
“This morning (8/10) I was visited at my house in Berkeley, CA by a woman who quickly identified herself as an FBI agent. She was looking for a housemate who was not home, and mentioned that she had some questions about Joseph Buddenburg. Her demeanor was nice and she assured me a couple times that my housemate was in no trouble and that she “just wanted to talk” and “just had a couple questions.” When I told her that my housemate was not around she asked if I knew Joseph. After I told her I had no idea who Joseph is, the agent gave me her business card, asked my housemate to get in touch with her and left.”
Most lawyers agree the best way to handle a visit by law enforcement is to get their card and then shut the door. There are many reasons why speaking to the FBI is never a good idea. I recommend everyone read the primer on dealing with law enforcement called If An Agent Knocks at
http://ccrjustice.org/files/CCR_If_An_Agent_Knocks.pdf
Let’s hope this visit does not indicate a renewed interest in the AETA 4 case, perhaps the most farcical charges in the history of the animal liberation movement.
- Peter Young
This week, the FBI made a home visit seeking to question an unnamed person in Oakland about Joseph Buddenberg of the AETA 4. Buddenberg was indicted on Animal Enterprise Terrorism charges in 2009 as part of the case, charged with participating in a protest campaign against UC-Berkeley animal researchers. The case was thrown out just over a year ago. The government has not officially declared the case closed and has the option to re-indict, however there has been little if any visible movement in the case until this incident.
This is the report of the person who answered the door for the FBI:
“This morning (8/10) I was visited at my house in Berkeley, CA by a woman who quickly identified herself as an FBI agent. She was looking for a housemate who was not home, and mentioned that she had some questions about Joseph Buddenburg. Her demeanor was nice and she assured me a couple times that my housemate was in no trouble and that she “just wanted to talk” and “just had a couple questions.” When I told her that my housemate was not around she asked if I knew Joseph. After I told her I had no idea who Joseph is, the agent gave me her business card, asked my housemate to get in touch with her and left.”
Most lawyers agree the best way to handle a visit by law enforcement is to get their card and then shut the door. There are many reasons why speaking to the FBI is never a good idea. I recommend everyone read the primer on dealing with law enforcement called If An Agent Knocks at
http://ccrjustice.org/files/CCR_If_An_Agent_Knocks.pdf
Let’s hope this visit does not indicate a renewed interest in the AETA 4 case, perhaps the most farcical charges in the history of the animal liberation movement.
- Peter Young
For more information:
http://www.voiceofthevoiceless.org
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That was not a COINTELPRO action, oh happy days! "Most lawyers agree the best way to handle a visit by law enforcement is to get their card and then shut the door." That's right! If they identified themselves it could NOT have been COINTELPRO since COINTELPRO never identifies themselves.
"There are many reasons why speaking to the FBI is never a good idea." Except for the fact that it's illegal not to talk to them. It's always better to buy them a drink than to slam the door, since once their DeeWee their report is about as good as an ink blot. And for the simple fact that anything you gave them could be considered a bribe, that they took.
But this is not an instance of COINTELPRO as all should be made aware. COINTELPRO is a much more serious and very dangerous monster and should not be confused with an official visit where business cards were handed out.
"There are many reasons why speaking to the FBI is never a good idea." Except for the fact that it's illegal not to talk to them. It's always better to buy them a drink than to slam the door, since once their DeeWee their report is about as good as an ink blot. And for the simple fact that anything you gave them could be considered a bribe, that they took.
But this is not an instance of COINTELPRO as all should be made aware. COINTELPRO is a much more serious and very dangerous monster and should not be confused with an official visit where business cards were handed out.
this post says nothing about COINTELPRO. no where. you're the only one talking about that, so it's not really clear why you feel the need to tell people not to be "confused" about it (and by the way, FBI visits could very well be part of a a larger COINTELPRO-type disruption campaign -- only the FBI would know for sure)
so, just to be super clear while we're clearing things up here, people also should not confuse the above post with warnings about racist lynchings in the pre-civil rights American south or current aerial drone attacks in Pakistan
so, just to be super clear while we're clearing things up here, people also should not confuse the above post with warnings about racist lynchings in the pre-civil rights American south or current aerial drone attacks in Pakistan
It needs to be re-iterated that NOT talking to the FBI is definitely well within your legal rights. It is not ILLEGAL to refuse questioning, as the troll responder stated. That needs to be made uber clear.
My understanding saying you don't know someone can be held against you?
...to say anything. But, for example, if you say you don't know someone the FBI's looking when in fact you do, and they catch you in it, you can be in deep doo doo. Lying to the FBI is a federal felony. And, the charge is frequently used to apply heat to the real target, I've read.
You don't need to lie, your right, you can be in trouble. But you still have the right to remain silent and not talk to them or answer any questions. If they really want, they can call you before a grand jury and make you talk to them there, but that is an extradited process,and their is no known active gj for Joseph Buddenberg or the AETA 4. So basically, just keep silent and don't talk to the feds if they knock on your door or approach you. Tell them I don't want to talk and want to observe my right to remain silent. Get in touch with a lawyer later if you are approached. Be smart, and stay cool. No need for paranoia or striking fear just because they are making the rounds and talking to people too.
Why does the heading say "visits" when the article refers to only the one visit?
Shouldn't it say, "FBI makes a visit in the East Bay"?
Shouldn't it say, "FBI makes a visit in the East Bay"?
It is actually very simple. The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that you have the right to remain silent. Exercise that right. If they to your door, tell them you're not saying anything. If you've already said something to them, you have a right AT ANY TIME to stop the conversation. If you don't feel comfortable in just sending them away, say "could you leave me your card; I will have my lawyer call you".
No matter what after they leave. call an attorney, preferably someone who is knowledgeable your rights. If you don't know a good attorney, a good place to find one is the National Lawyers Guild, an organization of radical and progressive attorneys, legal workers, and law students.
No matter what after they leave. call an attorney, preferably someone who is knowledgeable your rights. If you don't know a good attorney, a good place to find one is the National Lawyers Guild, an organization of radical and progressive attorneys, legal workers, and law students.
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