The newly unveiled photos of Martin Luther King Jr. outside New York City Hall reveal a darker side to the NYPD's surveillance tactics, one that predated the notorious COINTELPRO program by several years. Taken just weeks after King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, these images show a stark contrast between the public celebration and the covert surveillance.
The photographs were held in the New York City Municipal Archives files of the Bureau of Special Services and Investigations, the NYPD's former political intelligence unit. The prints depict King and his entourage outside City Hall, including his wife Coretta Scott King, mother Alberta Williams King, and friend Bayard Rustin, all of whom appear to be unaware that they are being photographed.
However, the placement of these individuals in the Bureau's "Red Squad" files makes it clear that the NYPD harbored a far less flattering impression of King. The files, which were first discovered in 2016, contain extensive documentation of the NYPD's surveillance and sabotage efforts against civil rights activists, including King.
The photographs themselves are mundane on the surface, with no one appearing to recognize they are being photographed. However, their placement in the Bureau's files suggests that the NYPD was aware that King was a prominent figure and was actively monitoring his movements.
One notable example is an October 1961 event at Columbia University, where the NYPD issued a surveillance report on King's visit. Rank-and-file organizers supporting King received unwanted attention as well, with some being monitored by police departments in Birmingham, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
The implications of these photographs are significant. They demonstrate that the NYPD's surveillance efforts predated COINTELPRO by several years, and that local police agencies were far more experienced in spying on and sabotaging activists than previously acknowledged.
Moreover, these images highlight the broader pattern of surveillance and harassment faced by civil rights activists during this period. The prosecution of activists like those involved in the Black Liberation Front collective, who were targeted by undercover agents and induced to commit crimes, is a stark reminder of the tactics employed by law enforcement agencies.
Today, similar tactics are still being deployed against protesters against ICE and Israel's war on Gaza. Local organizers are calling for the NYPD to disband its Strategic Response Group, a secretive unit that continues the work of BOSS. The consequences of such investigations can be devastating, with protesters facing harassment, surveillance, and even criminal charges.
The words used by federal authorities, such as describing activists as terrorists, have real-life consequences for those on the receiving end. As we move forward, it is essential to recognize the actions of local law enforcement agencies and the impact they have on social movements.
In a world where democratic norms are being eroded, it is crucial that we hold those in power accountable and defend press freedom. The Intercept will continue to cover these issues and provide a platform for marginalized voices to be heard.
The photographs were held in the New York City Municipal Archives files of the Bureau of Special Services and Investigations, the NYPD's former political intelligence unit. The prints depict King and his entourage outside City Hall, including his wife Coretta Scott King, mother Alberta Williams King, and friend Bayard Rustin, all of whom appear to be unaware that they are being photographed.
However, the placement of these individuals in the Bureau's "Red Squad" files makes it clear that the NYPD harbored a far less flattering impression of King. The files, which were first discovered in 2016, contain extensive documentation of the NYPD's surveillance and sabotage efforts against civil rights activists, including King.
The photographs themselves are mundane on the surface, with no one appearing to recognize they are being photographed. However, their placement in the Bureau's files suggests that the NYPD was aware that King was a prominent figure and was actively monitoring his movements.
One notable example is an October 1961 event at Columbia University, where the NYPD issued a surveillance report on King's visit. Rank-and-file organizers supporting King received unwanted attention as well, with some being monitored by police departments in Birmingham, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
The implications of these photographs are significant. They demonstrate that the NYPD's surveillance efforts predated COINTELPRO by several years, and that local police agencies were far more experienced in spying on and sabotaging activists than previously acknowledged.
Moreover, these images highlight the broader pattern of surveillance and harassment faced by civil rights activists during this period. The prosecution of activists like those involved in the Black Liberation Front collective, who were targeted by undercover agents and induced to commit crimes, is a stark reminder of the tactics employed by law enforcement agencies.
Today, similar tactics are still being deployed against protesters against ICE and Israel's war on Gaza. Local organizers are calling for the NYPD to disband its Strategic Response Group, a secretive unit that continues the work of BOSS. The consequences of such investigations can be devastating, with protesters facing harassment, surveillance, and even criminal charges.
The words used by federal authorities, such as describing activists as terrorists, have real-life consequences for those on the receiving end. As we move forward, it is essential to recognize the actions of local law enforcement agencies and the impact they have on social movements.
In a world where democratic norms are being eroded, it is crucial that we hold those in power accountable and defend press freedom. The Intercept will continue to cover these issues and provide a platform for marginalized voices to be heard.
back in the 50s and 60s, you know when they were spying on suspected communists and stuff? it's wild to think that the NYPD was doing similar stuff to Martin Luther King Jr. just weeks after he won that Nobel Peace Prize 
it's like, how many times do we need to learn from our mistakes?
but nope, they just wanted to keep this dark history under wraps
we need more of that in our world right now
, might've even been going on before that... but at the same time, I'm like, how could they not know who Martin Luther King Jr was? 
these photos are wild man I dont think its right the NYPD was spying on MLK and his crew like that its like they didnt even care about the fact he was a famous peacemaker 
the implications of this is huge because now we see that they werent just messing around with COINTELPRO they were doing this way before 
and its not just MLK they had their eyes on everyone who was speaking out against inequality and injustice
Still sending shivers down my spine thinking about the tactics used against civil rights activists. We need to shine light on this history so we can prevent similar injustices in the future 
But on the other hand, I think it's totally messed up that he and his crew were being spied on without their knowledge or consent... I mean, didn't they have a right to privacy too? 
And what about all the innocent bystanders who were getting caught up in the surveillance? 
It just seems like the NYPD was trying to chill MLK's vibes and suppress his message of love and equality. 
. these old pics show a stark contrast between the public image of MLK and the reality of the surveillance state, it's wild to think about how far we've come... or not 
and now we're seeing similar tactics being used today against protesters 
. We need to keep holding law enforcement accountable & supporting those on the frontlines 
.