Caution: Big Brother is Watching
by anonymous undergraduate student Saturday, Sep. 25, 2004 at 8:19 PM

The Observer CWRU Student Newspaper Letter to the Editor:

Caution: Big Brother is Watching

To the Editor:

The Case Western Reserve University campus community is preparing for the "Race at Case." The vice presidential debate, to be held Oct. 5, is an exciting national event which will bring alot of attention to the school and the city of Cleveland. However, Case is not the only institution preparing for this incredible event; the government is gearing up, too.
Within the last week and a half, many students have noticed the men in collared white button-down shirts and slacks, gazing at them through dark, mirrored sunglasses. The men, seen mainly on the Mather Quad during the mid-afternoon, have taken pictures of groups of students , and, in some cases, of individuals. But they haven't stopped there.
Mysterious phone calls and emails have been recieved. Strange, unknown characters have pursued questionable conversations seeking private information about individual students. Some people have been noticeably singled out and followed by the men in dark sunglasses, or have seen the men communicating on walkie-talkies while clearly staring at particular students. Others have walked out of their homes to see the men in cars, watching them.
It is clear that campus activists are being targeted by these surveillances, though all students are being photographed. While it might seem unbelievable, the government is here, on our campus. It is inconceivable that the university is not assisting the government in their quest for information, and in turn, needlessly subjecting their students to this intimidation. While some may dismiss this as simply paranoid delusions, the fact is that other campuses, notably Washington University in St. Louis, faced similar issues. Activists were tailed, their families questioned by the FBI, and in some cases they were arrested and detained. There is no reason to believe the federal law enforcement agencies will behave any differently on our campus. Be aware of where you are and who is around; Big Brother is watching you.
written by anonymous undergraduate student

September 24, 2004 Volume XXXVI Issue 5 This letter to the Editor can be found in print in The Observer student newspaper at the Case Western Reserve University Campus

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