COINTELPRO

COINTELPRO

COINTELPRO (an abbreviation for Counter Intelligence Program) was a series of covert and often illegal projects conducted by the FBI aimed at surveilling, infiltrating, discrediting, and disrupting domestic political organizations considered to be subversive. These operations were officially initiated in 1956 and continued until 1971, although similar tactics have been alleged to persist beyond this period.

History

COINTELPRO was initially created to target the Communist Party USA, but its scope expanded over the years to include civil rights organizations, feminist groups, socialist organizations, and other activist movements. The program was part of a broader effort by the FBI under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover to maintain national security and social order during a time of significant political and social upheaval in the United States.

Objectives

The primary objectives of COINTELPRO were to:

• Disrupt the activities of organizations deemed subversive.
• Create internal conflicts within these groups.
• Discredit individuals and organizations through psychological warfare.
• Prevent the rise of leaders who could unify and electrify the movement.

Tactics

COINTELPRO employed a variety of tactics, including:

• Infiltration: Agents were placed within organizations to gather intelligence and sow discord.
• Psychological warfare: The FBI used anonymous letters, forged documents, and other means to create distrust and paranoia among group members.
• Harassment through the legal system: Activists were frequently arrested on spurious charges to disrupt their activities.
• Extralegal force and violence: In some cases, the FBI collaborated with local law enforcement to use violence against activists.

Notable Targets

Some of the most notable targets of COINTELPRO included:

• Martin Luther King Jr.: The FBI attempted to discredit King by monitoring his personal life and attempting to undermine his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement.
• Black Panther Party: The FBI sought to neutralize the Black Panther Party through infiltration, misinformation, and direct confrontation.
• American Indian Movement: The FBI targeted AIM leaders and sought to disrupt their activities.

Exposure and Aftermath

COINTELPRO was exposed in 1971 when a group of activists calling themselves the "Citizens' Commission to Investigate the FBI" broke into an FBI office in Media, Pennsylvania, and stole documents that revealed the existence of the program. The exposure of COINTELPRO led to public outcry and congressional investigations, including the Church Committee hearings, which resulted in reforms to limit the FBI's domestic intelligence activities.

Legacy

The legacy of COINTELPRO is a controversial one. While some argue that it was necessary to protect national security during a turbulent period, others view it as a gross violation of civil liberties and a misuse of government power. The revelations about COINTELPRO have had a lasting impact on public trust in government and have influenced subsequent debates about surveillance and civil rights.

See Also

• Church Committee
• J. Edgar Hoover
• Civil Rights Movement
• Black Panther Party

References

• "COINTELPRO". FBI Vault.

External Links

• COINTELPRO Files at the National Archives