Anti-war Activist Blasts US For Suppressing Public Protests

New York, Feb 3, IRNA – A US anti-war activist criticized US National Security Agency (NSA) for suppressing public protests and controlling performances of the civil bodies instead of focusing on fight against terrorism. Leader of the United National Anti-War Coalition Joe Lombard told IRNA exclusively that the NSA was indeed violating civil rights of American citizens. Lombard made the remarks while commenting on some recent changes in the leadership of the US security body. The embattled National Security Agency is about to get new leaders to deal with the ongoing fallout from whistle-blower Edward Snowden’s surveillance disclosures. Vice-admiral Michael Rogers, the commander of the US navy’s tenth fleet and its Fleet Cyber Command, will take over from NSA Director Keith Alexander, who reluctantly became a global figure in the wake of the Snowden revelations. Snowden is an American computer specialist, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee, and former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor who disclosed top secret NSA documents to several media outlets, initiating the NSA leaks, which reveal operational details of a global surveillance apparatus run by the NSA. Snowden has received temporary asylum in Russia and is wanted in the US. Commenting on Rogers nomination for the NSA leadership, Lombard said Rogers is committed to the moves made by his ancestors and the body would continue its spying activities inside and outside the country under his leadership too. Referring to President Barack Obamaˈs comments on reviving public trust towards US intelligence bodies, Lombard said he did not believe that Obamaˈs administration was after making real changes in NSA. Lombard said the US government has to dissolve the NSA for confidence building, adding that since Washington is concerned over public discontent resulted from economic pressures, it is to control public reaction through security bodies including the NSA./end