fuckyeahmarxismleninism:

The Philadelphia Police Department enlisted federal drug agents to infiltrate crowds of protesters during racial justice demonstrations in the city last spring, a move that critics say may have circumvented a decades-old ban aimed at deterring police from spying on activists.

The undercover operation was made public last week by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a D.C.-based think tank that obtained emails between police and federal officials through a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act.

The emails show Philadelphia police requested the DEA support on June 2 and the operation lasted at least through June 6.

In one message, a ranking agent with the drug agency emailed colleagues and told them they’d be placed on teams to assist Philadelphia police and should “dress in a fashion that will allow you to bend [sic] in with the crowds. Masks and bag packs are a good idea.” Another from a DEA official said, “the purpose of the request is to identify protest leaders, agitators, and individuals who are inciting violence or destruction of property.”

The Philadelphia Police Department is restricted from using its own officers to infiltrate protest groups. A 1987 mayoral directive written as part of a settlement to a lawsuit requires that to conduct covert surveillance of activists, Philadelphia police must detail a threat of criminal activity in writing and obtain approval from the police commissioner and the city managing director.