Identifier

FBI_00135

Title

Agitation Among the Negroes Internal Security

Creator

Mumford, J.K. (FBI)

Description

Internal memo sent to several FBI Field Offices, including Detroit, calling for increased surveillance to determine why “unrest and agitation” was occurring amongst the Black communities in their respective districts. It is important to note, although this is listed alongside COINTELPRO files, this surveillance took place prior to formal initiation of COINTELPRO in 1956. The type of surveillance here is a precursor to the further expansion of mass surveillance activities throughout COINTELPRO.

Source

100-HQ-135-Serial30, 27 August 1942, Federal Bureau of Investigation Records, "Foreign Inspired Agitation Among American Negroes", Detroit FBI Files - Black Freedom.

Theme

Criminalization and Resistance, Community and Resistance

Type

Government Records

Level 1 Tag

Race

Racism

Racialization

Social Movements

Surveillance

Government Correspondence

Activism

COINTELPRO

Detroit

Resistance

Level 2 Tag

Racial Unrest

Profiling

Abuse by Government

Race & Ethnic Identity

COINTELPRO - Foreign Inspired Agitation Among American Negroes

Racial Inequality

Level 3 Tag

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Date

1942-08-27

Location

Washington D.C.

Rights

Public Domain acquired through Freedom of Information Act