DHS files on Jonathan J. Sidote

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the provisions of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Please process this request under both regulations to release the maximum amount of materials. 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 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Jonathan J. Sidote

I believe this request meets the criteria for expedited processing under 28 CFR 16.5(d)(1)(ii) and (iii):

(ii) An urgency to inform the public about an actual or alleged federal government activity, if made by a person primarily engaged in disseminating information;

This request concerns the monitoring of citizens and foreign nationals by the government in ways that possibly violate due process and privacy rights, and is being filed in conjunction and cooperation with MuckRock, a national news organization that has reported widely on this issue.

The loss of substantial due process rights;

Relating to the possible release of information that could be useful in an ongoing related lawsuit filed to stop the NDAA (Hedges et al v Obama et al), against the indefinite detention provisions in Sec 1021 of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act.

This request is also being sent signed, via postal mail.

To Whom It May Concern:

I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information request, copied below, and originally submitted on Nov. 8, 2012. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response, or if further clarification is needed.

Thank you for your help.