NYPD Files on Jonathan J. Sidote

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York State Freedom of Information Law (1977 N.Y. Laws ch. 933), I hereby request the following records:

I request copies of any and all reports, including social media reports, correspondence, documents, emails, files, letters, memos, tapes, cds, audio, video, electronic, and/or other records about, related to, or referencing Jonathan J. Sidote. I prefer to receive the requested record in the electronic format in which it was created and/or is maintained.

I, Jonathan J. Sidote, am an activist promoting civil liberties using direct action and social media. I function both independently and in affiliation with groups such as the Occupy Wall Street movement. I have attended numerous demonstrations for a wide variety of causes that I consider to be threats to our freedom, civil liberties or Constitutional rights. One such demonstration took place on March 29, 2012 in a show of support for the seven plaintiffs who filed the Hedges et al v Obama e al lawsuit against our government petitioning to overturn section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2012. As the trial began a group consisting of both independent activists, as well as members of organizations including RevolutionTruth, We Will Not Be Silent, the Occupy movement, and StopNDAA had marched around the courthouse and immediate area. During this period of time I noticed a gentlemen who appeared to be attempting to blend in with demonstrators. Later that day when the march had reached its end at Union Square, NYC, I saw the same gentleman walk by me carrying a communications device labeled "NYPD" while charging my phone on the eastern side of Union Square. On the train ride back to New Jersey there was an armed officer at a constant six to seven feet away from me at all times, and when I reached my destination there was a Transit Police vehicle parked in the lot of Woodbridge train station. There was also a Transit Authority police vehicle stationed in the same parking lot when I returned from the May Day protests in New York City on May 1, 2012. After reading an article (http://m.gawker.com/5850054) on the independent news website Gawker, about security consultant and admitted NYPD and FBI informer, Thomas Ryan, I believe the man in the photos that are included in that article is the same man I saw during the NDAA demonstration on March 29, 2012.

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that fees cannot be waived, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Jonathan J. Sidote

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 18, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.