1984 Day Protests Demand End To NSA Spying, Restoration Of Fourth Amendment Rights
1984 Day protests took place all over the United States on Sunday as protesters railed against the NSA and its intrusive spying programs aimed at US citizens. 1984 Day took place on 8/4, and it’s a play on George Orwell’s famous Uncle Sam surveillance novel 1984.
Restore the Fourth, a protest group founded on Reddit, called for the protests, which took place in 20 cities around the United States.
The goal of the organization is to end what it calls unconstitutional surveillance on US citizens which violates the Fourth Amendment and its protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.
Restore the Fourth help its first rally on July 4. The groups most recent events included various activities including film screenings and marches from Austin To Boston.
One of the groups biggest rally’s was held in San Francisco where supporters were greeted by Pentagon Papers whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg. In San Francisco, Nancy Pelosi was verbally attacked for her opposition to the Amash amendment. The bill would have ended the NSA’s collection of phone records through the Patriot Act. The Amash Amendment showed promise but eventually failed by 12 votes.
Restore the Fourth is far from over. Group organizers are attempting to get face time with legislators across the country to discuss the NSA’s spying program and what can be done to end the illegal practice.
In New York City, Restore the Fourth protesters specifically targeted the “stop and frisk” program, which has allegedly targeted Muslim-Americans. NYC protesters started their rally in Bryan Park. Protesters in dramatic fashion bore masks of President Obama, George W. Bush, and NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly. In supporting the masses, anyone who wanted to speak were given one minute of public face time with protesters in attendance.
Are you a supporter of Restore the Fourth and 1984 Day?