I also requested and received numerous files/documents pertaining to people and organizations associated with, or recommended by, the Birch Society in its literature. (In March 2007, the FBI informed me that I had submitted approximately 8900 FOIA requests during the preceding 28 years). Of particular interest to me have been those persons and organizations who espouse a conspiracy explanation of current events and past historical developments-such as the John Birch Society.Īs I learned more about the intellectual history of right-wing conspiracy arguments, I realized that I would need to pursue research on more than 2000 persons, organizations, publications, and controversies.Īltogether, I have received about 600,000 pages of documents and quite often I have been the first person to request and receive these files and documents. The FBI FOIA website contains valuable resources on FOIA and Privacy Act requests, including descriptions of request procedures and programs for making electronic requests.įor more information about the ACLU’s investigation of domestic surveillance since 9/11, go to 12/28/13 For more than 30 years I have been acquiring FBI (and other agency) files and documents via Freedom of Information Act requests. and to the FBI Field Office for Oregon, which is located in Portland: Sign the request and have it notarized.Ĭlick here for a sample Privacy Act Request letter.įOIA and Privacy Act Requests from Oregon should be sent both to the FBI in Washington, D.C. State how much you are willing to pay for duplication costs.ĥ. Describe any particular incidents or events in which you were involved that you think may have come under FBI surveillance.Ĥ. Include any identifying data that could help the government identify records related to you, such as date and place of birth, former addresses, or social security number.ģ. Privacy Act requests should contain the following information:Ģ. The government may have private information about you, and the government can only disclose that information if you provide the proper waiver. Information about you can be obtained under the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. The maximum amount requestor is willing to pay for copying fees.Ĭlick here for a sample FOIA Request Letter. Whether requestor is a representative of the news media.ĥ. Requestor’s address/where to send results.Ĥ.
FOIA Requests should contain the following information:Ģ. Information about organizations, historical events, investigations, and government policies can be obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. Your right to inspect your own FBI file is guaranteed under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act. In addition to legitimate, law-enforcement activity, the FBI has, throughout its history, engaged in surveillance of people who have simply had the courage to speak out against government policies. Martin Luther King, John Lennon, Cesar Chavez-the list of targets of domestic FBI surveillance is long and distinguished. You have a right to know if the government has investigated you, and you have a right to see the contents of your FBI file. In response to the ACLU of Oregon’s investigation of FBI surveillance of activists and organizers from around Oregon, the ACLU-OR has received numerous requests for assistance from people who are curious about their own FBI records.
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