US Universities Under Siege: Fusion Centers Fuel Crackdown on Student Activism
In a chilling discovery, investigative journalists at The Intercept have exposed how US universities are using counterterrorism intelligence-sharing hubs to surveil and repress pro-Palestine student activism. This disturbing trend reveals the darker side of America's war on terror, where federal law enforcement agencies and local police departments collaborate to monitor and silence student voices.
Fusion centers, established in the wake of 9/11, were designed to facilitate information sharing between local, state, and federal agencies. These hubs have become a means for law enforcement to target not only terrorist organizations but also peaceful protests, including pro-Palestine demonstrations on university campuses across the country. The evidence obtained by The Intercept shows that universities have indeed utilized these networks to crack down on student free speech.
A warning sent to Ohio State University's administrators from a statewide counterterrorism hub revealed a planned pro-Palestine demonstration at OSU. This tip led to the police intervention, resulting in 36 arrests and the shutdown of an occupied building. The incident highlights how universities have become complicit in the surveillance state, effectively curbing the rights of their students.
Critics argue that fusion centers have contributed to a "scope creep" in mass surveillance, allowing law enforcement agencies to monitor American citizens under the guise of national security. This trend has already been seen in other areas, such as the tracking of online speech and the sharing of dubious intelligence by these hubs.
The case of Cal Poly Humboldt is particularly striking. The university's IT department tracked students' device information while they occupied a building for eight days. With the help of FBI warrants, the university authorities sought to punish the involved students. This blatant disregard for civil rights has raised concerns about the role of fusion centers in perpetuating systemic oppression.
Experts warn that universities should be vigilant against unleashing federal surveillance at their schools due to the risks posed by fusion centers' reputation for infringing on civil liberties. As Rory Mir, associate director of community organizing at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, noted, "Fusion centers have also come under fire for sharing dubious intelligence and escalating local police responses to BLM." This highlights the need for universities to protect their students' rights in the face of these threats.
The Trump administration's actions have taken this trend to an unprecedented level. As The Intercept pointed out, far too many outlets are covering these developments as if they were a normal part of politics. This is not acceptable. We must stand against authoritarianism and defend democracy.
If you believe in press freedom and want to help us continue our mission, become a member today.
In a chilling discovery, investigative journalists at The Intercept have exposed how US universities are using counterterrorism intelligence-sharing hubs to surveil and repress pro-Palestine student activism. This disturbing trend reveals the darker side of America's war on terror, where federal law enforcement agencies and local police departments collaborate to monitor and silence student voices.
Fusion centers, established in the wake of 9/11, were designed to facilitate information sharing between local, state, and federal agencies. These hubs have become a means for law enforcement to target not only terrorist organizations but also peaceful protests, including pro-Palestine demonstrations on university campuses across the country. The evidence obtained by The Intercept shows that universities have indeed utilized these networks to crack down on student free speech.
A warning sent to Ohio State University's administrators from a statewide counterterrorism hub revealed a planned pro-Palestine demonstration at OSU. This tip led to the police intervention, resulting in 36 arrests and the shutdown of an occupied building. The incident highlights how universities have become complicit in the surveillance state, effectively curbing the rights of their students.
Critics argue that fusion centers have contributed to a "scope creep" in mass surveillance, allowing law enforcement agencies to monitor American citizens under the guise of national security. This trend has already been seen in other areas, such as the tracking of online speech and the sharing of dubious intelligence by these hubs.
The case of Cal Poly Humboldt is particularly striking. The university's IT department tracked students' device information while they occupied a building for eight days. With the help of FBI warrants, the university authorities sought to punish the involved students. This blatant disregard for civil rights has raised concerns about the role of fusion centers in perpetuating systemic oppression.
Experts warn that universities should be vigilant against unleashing federal surveillance at their schools due to the risks posed by fusion centers' reputation for infringing on civil liberties. As Rory Mir, associate director of community organizing at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, noted, "Fusion centers have also come under fire for sharing dubious intelligence and escalating local police responses to BLM." This highlights the need for universities to protect their students' rights in the face of these threats.
The Trump administration's actions have taken this trend to an unprecedented level. As The Intercept pointed out, far too many outlets are covering these developments as if they were a normal part of politics. This is not acceptable. We must stand against authoritarianism and defend democracy.
If you believe in press freedom and want to help us continue our mission, become a member today.
fusion centers r literally creating these "free speech zones" where students cant even breathe 
& now theyre tracking ppl's devices & using fbi warrants 2 punish students? like what?! universities need 2 wake up & protect their students rights ASAP! its not about national security, its bout silencing dissenting voices & infringing on civil liberties 
can't believe the US universities are using fusion centers to surveil student activism 
like what's next? They're gonna start monitoring people's social media too 
no seriously though, this is a huge red flag. Universities are supposed to be safe spaces for free speech and inquiry, not breeding grounds for authoritarianism. We need to expose these practices ASAP and hold our institutions accountable 
. I mean, what's next? Are they gonna start tracking students' online activities too? 
It's a slippery slope and we gotta speak out against this kind of erosion of civil liberties 
. These fusion centers are meant to combat terrorism, not silence peaceful protests 
.
this is so wrong US universities should be supporting student activism not silencing it with counterterrorism intel fusion centers are basically private prisons for students' free speech 
The way universities are using these counterterrorism hubs to monitor student activism is super concerning 
. It feels like they're walking on thin ice by allowing law enforcement to swoop in and shut down protests 
. We need to make sure our schools aren't complicit in surveillance states 
it's like they're trying to create a surveillance state on campuses and no one's doing anything about it 
universities are supposed to be spaces for free speech and activism, not places where you get in trouble for having an opinion 
need to do something to stop this before it's too late 
and expected to just eat it up. I mean, what's next? The government telling schools which books to ban or which speeches to shut down? This is exactly why we need more transparency around fusion centers - it's time for the public to know what's going on behind closed doors.
is that this kind of thing happens all over the country. I mean, Cal Poly Humboldt tracking students' device info while they're occupying a building? That's just nuts! 
We need to stand up for our students and tell them that their rights are being trampled on. It's time for the government to come clean about what's going on in these fusion centers and start taking responsibility for the actions of law enforcement agencies. We can't let this kind of authoritarianism take over, not on our watch! 
.
Fusion centers, which were meant to help fight terrorism, have been misused to silence students. The FBI is even working with universities to track down and punish students who occupy buildings 
. It's not fair to students who are just trying to express themselves and make a difference. The whole thing is so shady 
. We need more people to speak out against this kind of thing and demand better from our universities. Students have the right to free speech, it's basic human rights 
.