What’s Wrong with Fusion Centers?

A Community Education Forum on the Privacy Implications of Data Mining and the War on Terror

Government-sponsored fusion centers vary widely, but generally are centers intended to improve the sharing of anti-terrorism intelligence among state, local and federal government agencies and the private sector. To date, over 40 of these centers have been established around the nation, including Arizona.

Fusion centers are raising many questions about privacy and government openness and must be carefully bounded and monitored to ensure that they remain a legitimate and effective law enforcement tool.

“We all want our government agencies to talk to each other and share appropriate law enforcement information,” said Mike German, ACLU Policy Counsel. “What we don’t want to see is the emergence of secretive, out-of-control units that collect and sift through masses of personal information on innocent people.”

What: East Valley Chapter of the ACLU of Arizona hosts their annual Lasagna Bash Fundraising Event about the privacy implications of data mining and the War on Terror.

Who: Michael German; Intelligence expert, former FBI agent and ACLU National Security Counsel.

Where?…

Tempe

When:  Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 6 p.m.

Where: University Presbyterian Church, 139 E. Alameda Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282

Cost: $25, Price includes dinner, beverage and desert.

Tucson

When:  Monday, May 5, 2008 at 6 p.m.

Where: University of Arizona Law School, 1201 E. Speedway, Room 146 (Corner of Mountain and Helen).

This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.