FOIA: to the DHS Office of Operations Coordination and Planning

This is a copy of the first FOIA I’ve filed, to the DHS Office of Operations Coordination and Planning, regarding the upcoming Occupy National Gathering. A similar one will be sent to the Department of the Interior National Park Service. For obvious reasons, I have here redacted my address and telephone number.

–xx

FOIA Officer/Public Liaison: Michael Page

Office of Operations Coordination and Planning (OPS) 

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20528

Phone: 202-357-7626 

Fax: 202-357-7678

June 22, 2012

FOIA REQUEST
Expedited processing requested

Dear FOIA Officer:

Pursuant to the federal Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C.  § 552, I request access to and copies of any and all information you may have related to cooperation, coordination or interoperability for facilitating communication for, arranging travel, housing, logistics, training, and all other relevant communications regarding the June 30-July 4 Occupy National Gathering. This request encompasses any law enforcement involvement, including specifically but not limited to the Department of Homeland Security, the Philadelphia Police Department and interagency efforts that the Department of Homeland Security may participate in such as the Joint Terrorism Task Forces or Fusion Centers. 

This request includes, but is not limited to, information reflecting communications involving law enforcement and state and municipal representatives and/or private consultants, private security companies or agencies or analysts pertaining to the Occupy National Gathering. 

I am requesting information reflecting communications about the Occupy National Gathering, including but not limited to: meetings, electronic communication, phone calls or teleconferences, analysis, deployment of federal law enforcement officers or agents in conjunction with local law enforcement actions and deployment of private security officers in conjunction with local and/or federal law enforcement actions. Your response should include, but is not limited to, files, emails, notes, presentation materials, threat alerts and other bulletins or memoranda. 

I would like to receive the information in electronic format where it is so available. 

As a representative of the news media I am only required to pay for the direct cost of duplication after the first 100 pages. Through this request, I am gathering information on the Department of Homeland Security facilitated inter-jurisdictional operations between federal and state law enforcement of nonviolent domestic dissident groups that is of current interest to the public because of the active monitoring and repression of grassroots Occupy Wall Street protests across the country. . This information is being sought on behalf of for dissemination to the general public. I have been researching extensively as a freelancer on the Occupy movement and am able to reach a large network through self-publication and by cooperating with others to disseminate information to the public through News Junkie Post, the Indypendent and Open Salon. 

Please waive any applicable fees. Release of the information is in the public interest because it will contribute significantly to public understanding of government operations and activities. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge, for which I will receive no compensation. This request is made in the process of news gathering for public understanding and not for commercial usage. .

This request is not meant to be exclusive of any other records which, though not specifically requested, would have a reasonable relationship to the subject matter of this request.

If my request is denied in whole or part, I ask that you justify all deletions by reference to specific exemptions of the act. I will also expect to be provided with all segregable portions of otherwise exempt material. Please separately state your reasons for not invoking your discretionary powers to release the requested documents in the public interest. Such statements will be helpful in deciding whether to appeal an adverse determination, and in formulating arguments in case an appeal is taken and written justification may help avoid unnecessary litigation. I, of course, reserve the right to appeal your decision to withhold any information or to deny a waiver of fees.

As I am making this request as a journalist and this information is of timely value, I would appreciate your communicating with me by telephone, rather than by mail, if you have questions regarding this request.

I look forward to your reply within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Joanne —- 

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