Newly Unveiled Photos of MLK Jr. Show Depth of NYPD’s Surveillance Exposed
The latest revelations about the New York Police Department's (NYPD) surveillance on civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. have left many in shock, but not those familiar with the history of police entanglement with activist movements.
Just days after Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. formally received him at City Hall, as if the civil rights leader were a head of state. However, these images belie a far more sinister narrative - one that reveals the depth of NYPD surveillance on prominent activists during the 1960s.
A batch of newly declassified photographs has exposed the long-held notion that local police were content with physically assaulting protesters while leaving the sophisticated work of surveillance to federal authorities like J. Edgar Hoover's FBI. However, these archives demonstrate that the opposite was true - local law enforcement agencies had a vested interest in spying on and sabotaging activists.
The 14 individuals in the photographs all seem oblivious to being photographed - their faces never directly meet the camera lens, suggesting they may not have realized they were under surveillance. However, this lack of acknowledgment belies a sinister plot by the NYPD's Bureau of Special Services (BOSS) against prominent figures like King and his associates.
These same individuals found themselves caught up in a web of espionage, harassment, and intimidation orchestrated by BOSS. King himself faced intense scrutiny from local police before federal authorities joined the fray. In one instance, activist Herb Callender was manipulated into participating in an absurd scheme to perform a citizens' arrest on Wagner at City Hall - which landed him in the Bellevue psych ward.
The revelation sheds new light on the FBI's COINTELPRO program and its impact on local police departments. While the federal agency is often criticized for its heavy-handed tactics, these archives demonstrate that law enforcement agencies at the time were already engaged in sophisticated surveillance operations against activists.
These actions, taken nearly six decades ago, show little reason to believe that such investigations will cease. Protesters today are still subject to continued monitoring by law enforcement - particularly those fighting against ICE and Israel's war on Gaza.
Insults from federal authorities have long signaled to local law enforcement agencies that they should investigate and probe activists. This narrative has led to an escalation in harassment and invasions of privacy, ultimately laying the groundwork for public officials' actions - some of which result in criminal proceedings.
In conclusion, these newly unearthed photographs highlight a darker side to American history. They underscore the chilling reality that local law enforcement agencies continue to engage in surveillance operations against activists today, often using tactics previously employed during the civil rights movement.
The latest revelations about the New York Police Department's (NYPD) surveillance on civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. have left many in shock, but not those familiar with the history of police entanglement with activist movements.
Just days after Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. formally received him at City Hall, as if the civil rights leader were a head of state. However, these images belie a far more sinister narrative - one that reveals the depth of NYPD surveillance on prominent activists during the 1960s.
A batch of newly declassified photographs has exposed the long-held notion that local police were content with physically assaulting protesters while leaving the sophisticated work of surveillance to federal authorities like J. Edgar Hoover's FBI. However, these archives demonstrate that the opposite was true - local law enforcement agencies had a vested interest in spying on and sabotaging activists.
The 14 individuals in the photographs all seem oblivious to being photographed - their faces never directly meet the camera lens, suggesting they may not have realized they were under surveillance. However, this lack of acknowledgment belies a sinister plot by the NYPD's Bureau of Special Services (BOSS) against prominent figures like King and his associates.
These same individuals found themselves caught up in a web of espionage, harassment, and intimidation orchestrated by BOSS. King himself faced intense scrutiny from local police before federal authorities joined the fray. In one instance, activist Herb Callender was manipulated into participating in an absurd scheme to perform a citizens' arrest on Wagner at City Hall - which landed him in the Bellevue psych ward.
The revelation sheds new light on the FBI's COINTELPRO program and its impact on local police departments. While the federal agency is often criticized for its heavy-handed tactics, these archives demonstrate that law enforcement agencies at the time were already engaged in sophisticated surveillance operations against activists.
These actions, taken nearly six decades ago, show little reason to believe that such investigations will cease. Protesters today are still subject to continued monitoring by law enforcement - particularly those fighting against ICE and Israel's war on Gaza.
Insults from federal authorities have long signaled to local law enforcement agencies that they should investigate and probe activists. This narrative has led to an escalation in harassment and invasions of privacy, ultimately laying the groundwork for public officials' actions - some of which result in criminal proceedings.
In conclusion, these newly unearthed photographs highlight a darker side to American history. They underscore the chilling reality that local law enforcement agencies continue to engage in surveillance operations against activists today, often using tactics previously employed during the civil rights movement.
this is so messed up, can't believe the NYPD was sneaking around on Dr King and others like that 
, it's all about how they wanted to control the narrative and stop ppl from speaking out against racism and inequality 
, we need to remember that history to not repeat the same mistakes 
, now that these pics are out everyone needs to be on high alert about surveillance and police tactics 
, can't let them just sweep it under the rug again 
. It's wild that Mayor Wagner Jr was treating King like royalty while BOSS was secretly spying on him 
. Those archives are like a slap in the face, showing how law enforcement agencies back then were already getting into all sorts of shady ops 
. And now protesters today are still dealing with this kind of harassment and monitoring - it's crazy 
. This is a major wake-up call, and I'm glad we're finally getting the truth out 
.
These new pics of MLK Jr being surveilled by NYPD is super interesting but also kinda expected tbh. Like, we already knew that police were all about spying on activists back in the day 
. The fact that they were willing to go as far as manipulating people into doing stuff for them is just wild 
. We need to wake up and recognize our own complicity in this cycle of surveillance and control 
. It's time for a change, not just more revelations 
it's heartbreaking to think about Dr King and others who were spied on and sabotaged by their own government 
, it's time we learn from the past to build a better future for everyone 
. And what's even more disturbing is how this stuff has been covered up for so long... it's like, why did nobody else know about this? 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around these photos... it's crazy to think that some of these people didn't even know they were being watched. It feels like a whole different era - all this COINTELPRO stuff is super interesting, but also kinda unsettling. How did we not know about this? 
It's not just the 60s though, this kinda thing still happens today. Protesters are still getting monitored and harassed by law enforcement 
It's crazy how some things never change. The idea that law enforcement agencies are still spying on activists today is just mind-blowing. And to think that it was already happening in the 60s, just waiting for someone to expose it... 
The COINTELPRO program was a masterclass in psychological warfare, but it's crazy how similar some of those tactics are to modern-day policing 
.
. And get this - the police even used wiretapping and bugging of activists' homes, often under the guise of "investigating" crimes 
. The 14 individuals in those declassified photos are an interesting case study - most of them had no idea they were under surveillance, but their lack of awareness was likely just a result of the police's clever tactics 
. The government says it's all about keeping us safe, but at what cost? 
these declassified photos are straight out of a spy novel - the way they're all hidden from view, it's like the cops were waiting for the perfect shot. And what's wild is that the BOSS (NYPD's Bureau of Special Services) was literally orchestrating an espionage game against activists, including King and his crew 
Here are some stats on the FBI's COINTELPRO program: 10,000+ people surveilled and 300+ people arrested between 1956-1971 
According to a study by the ACLU, law enforcement agencies have been monitoring Black Lives Matter activists since 2013 
NYPD was like a double agent, working with the feds while spying on their own citizens. I mean, who needs enemies when you got your own department watching you? 
I mean, who does that? Spying on activists like they're some kinda threat? It's like when the principal is all like "You gotta do what you're told" but then they're secretly monitoring your every move 
. It's like when your friends try to play a prank on you but it ends up being super mean-spirited 
like what were they thinking?! It's already bad enough that we have to deal with cops profiling us in the streets, but to find out they were doing this on a national level? 
these new pics show that local law enforcement is still engaging in surveillance operations against activists & it's just not cool 
. We need to keep speaking out against this kind of thing & make sure our voices are heard 