I read about this project on the Liberty Restoration Project website and am very interested in helping. I live in MD and became interested in the workings of fusion centers because of the Maryland State Police spying scandal (peace and anti-death penalty activists were spied on, then information marking them as potential terrorists was shared with the MD High Intensity Drug Trafficking Database and also directly with the NSA). The MD state legislature enacted a law called the Maryland Freedom of Association and Protection Act of 2009, which ostensibly protects the freedoms of peaceful dissidents, but does little or nothing to hinder information collected about them to be shared among fusion centers.

I also became involved in the MIAC issue. I did further research on fusion center legislation in other states and eventually submitted a detailed letter to the MIAC Interim Committee outlining the strengths and weaknesses of this legislation, in the hopes of influencing MO’s pending bill, House Bill 1138, which was to establish state legislative oversight over the workings of the Missouri Analysis and Information Center. This letter was eventually reproduced and distributed to the entire committee.

Given the weaknesses of the MD bill, I would welcome an opportunity to find a way to further influence legislation over fusion centers in my state and I hope you will consider me as someone who could assist you in this endeavor. Please email me! BTW I also know of a few passionate activists in other states who may be of assistance. Thanks very much for your time.

Link to the letter I sent to the MIAC Interim Committee:

http://periculosae.blogspot.com/2009_06_01_archive.html