Federal Agents Conducted Undercover Surveillance on Progressive Groups in Minneapolis

Federal agents conducted undercover surveillance on progressive groups in Minneapolis, targeting protests against an immigration crackdown. Court documents reveal Operation Puppet Master infiltrated meetings, monitored chat groups, and compiled names of attendees. The operation was criticized as politically driven and an infringement on constitutional rights. Groups like the Sunrise Movement, AFL-CIO, and CWA were targeted, with financial records obtained. Critics argue this could deter people from expressing their beliefs, fearing a 'creeping police state.' The investigations led to charges against 15 individuals for impeding the crackdown, with the government characterizing them as part of 'antifa.' Defense attorneys dispute this, calling 'antifa' a far-right boogeyman. The operation deployed about 3,000 federal officers, resulting in thousands of arrests and two fatal shootings. Civil society groups defended the protests, accusing the government of desperate intimidation tactics.