Hi,

Last Sunday, just before the Super Bowl, Politico reported that for only
the fifth time since 1830, Congress plans to hold a secret session to
debate extending extremely controversial spying powers.^1

The House, under GOP Speaker Mike Johnson, plans to hold the secret
session ahead of an imminent vote on expanding Section 702 of the Foreign
Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a dangerous power that government
agencies use to collect, use, and share our personal data, including
online communications, all without a warrant.^2

Section 702 has been abused in ways that violate Americans’ fundamental
civil liberties and civil rights. FBI agents have abused 702 to search
through billions of warrantlessly acquired communications for
conversations with Americans, including thousands of protestors, racial
justice activists, journalists, donors to a Congressional campaign, and
countless others.^3

It’s urgent that we contact Congress NOW and tell them to reject the
extension of Section 702.

[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition: No more warrantless spying on Americans!

ADD YOUR NAME

Warrantless government surveillance of Americans under Section 702 is out
of control, and particularly targets communities of color. The large
number of documented abuses by agencies like the NSA, CIA, and FBI include
searches for: 141 Black Lives Matter activists, two men “of Middle Eastern
descent” who were handling cleaning supplies, mosques that were
intentionally mislabeled to prevent oversight, and a state court judge who
reported civil rights violations to the FBI.^4

Even though the Fourth Amendment protects our right to keep our
information private, the government is collecting troves of our data
without a warrant.

The vote on 702 is imminent – join us and take action now.

[ [link removed] ]Add your name: Congress must reject the extension of dangerous,
unlawful spying under Section 702

Thanks for taking action,

Joey and the team at Demand Progress

[ [link removed] ]DONATE

Sources:

 1. Elizabeth Goitein via X, "Reporting from @politico suggests House
intelligence committee leaders want at least part of the floor debate
on Section 702 to happen IN SECRET...," [ [link removed] ]February 2, 2024.
 2. Politico, “Johnson considers new vote on spy powers for next week,”
[ [link removed] ]February 7, 2024.
 3. LA Times, “Opinion: Before the feds surveil Americans for Gaza
protests, rein in warrantless spying,” [ [link removed] ]February 8, 2024.
 4. Brennan Center, “FISA Section 702: Civil Rights Abuses,” [ [link removed] ]November,
2023.
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