Even State Department-funded Human Rights Watch admits that authorities combine legal and illegal methods to obtain convictions: https://text.hrw.org/report/2018/01/09/dark-side/secret-origins-evidence-us-criminal-cases

Combining dragnet surveillance with device hacking is intended in the design of both tools. Hence, State Department-funded Signal dupes you into handing over your identity as part of the population-centric mapping. In custody, your phone will be hacked when it is taken away if it’s important.

https://xcancel.com/hannahcrileyy/status/2034273723667161480#m

  • Miles O'Brien@startrek.website
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    2 months ago

    The prosecution used the presence of the first aid kit they carried

    Insane bullshit.

    I have a kit with me every day of my life, and I’ve had to refill it many times due to using it on others.

    It would be pure coincidence that I happen to be carrying a first aid kit on any given day, and if I’m going to a peaceful protest I’m bringing my trauma kit because the entire fucking world knows how cops treat protesters.

    • James R Kirk@startrek.website
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      2 months ago

      I agree that bringing a first aid kit to a peaceful protest is not evidence that someone is planning violence.

      I disagree that bringing a first aid kit along with explosives and assault weapons to a planned confrontation is evidence someone was attending a peaceful protest.

      • Feyd@programming.dev
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        2 months ago

        You completely dodged the actual question. Is a first aid kit evidence of planned terrorism?

        • James R Kirk@startrek.website
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          2 months ago

          I’m saying by focusing on the irrelevant first aid kit you are playing into the hands of those who seek to discourage the use of private messaging apps.

        • PapaStevesy@lemmy.world
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          2 months ago

          Depends on context. Is a fire extinguisher evidence of planned arson? Depends, was it just sitting there on its own or was it found next to a pile of fire accelerant, a box of matches, the blueprints to the nearby currently burning building, and a piece of paper with “Arson Plan” written on the top and “don’t forget fire extinguisher, just in case!” scrawled on the side? Obviously this is hyperbole, but I think my point is equally obvious.

    • Tinidril@midwest.social
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      2 months ago

      If you were ever in such a situation, I’m sure your lawyer would present the fact that you always have a first aid kit with you to challenge it’s relevance. People who know you could be brought in to testify as such.

      On the other hand, if you don’t generally carry a first aid kit but brought one to the protest alongside the other listed items, it does seem indicative of intent.

      There was just a news story that Denmark was (among other activities) stocking up on blood supplies in Greenland. That’s not an unusual thing for a military to do, but it’s pretty obvious that they were preparing to fight US forces. That’s obviously not a crime, but the logical connections to intent are similar.