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Show r ThuRsdy, June 2, 1988 ChitoNiclc Bejng. watched by FBI can be scary, piroJ says m Because of the U.S. Freedom of Information Act, many people have seen some of the information the government has been keeping on them including one University or Utah professor. But the experience may not be entirely fulfilling, as E.K. Hunt, chair of the U. economics department, pointed out Hunt has seen his FBI file, which is 15 to 16 pages long, but most of it was blacked out 'It included a record of my associations with people from 1969 to and groups of which I was never a member. Most of it I couldn't tell why it was there because it was blotted out," Hunt explained. He said it was very intimidating and believes the FBI watched him to frighten him. "I can't believe they really suspect people such as myself of breaking any laws. They just try to scare people who speak out," he noted. Hunt said he believes he was followed soley for political reasons. He said the only reasons he can think of why the FBI would follow him are 1975--peop- le because he was adamantly against the Vietnam War, and because he helped a group who publicized the case of a southern California civil rights leader who was charged with murder. The group believed the man was innocent and wanted to make sure he received a . good defense. Hunt also said that during the time of his surveillance the FBI often followed his son home from school. don't know what they expected to set from a little kid," he said. However, John Robert Lund, of the FBI, said law enforcement agents only watch people to develop a probable cause for criminal activity. "We don't use surveillance to harass don't have enough time (there people-- we are only 9,000 agents worldwide). That's not in our job description. "People could construe surveillance as harassment, but hopefully they won't know they are being surveilled," he said. "We all know that occasionally people in law enforcement may step beyond their bounds. But if you look at the big picture, surveillance is just to protect the people of this country and our freedoms. We're just servants," he explained. Lund said because a person has a file doesn't mean they are "bad." He said many people have files simply because they meet frequently with someone who is being tracked, even though they themselves may not be guilty of anything. TflRCE m There may be a file with your name By Bruce R. Burningham Chronicle staff writer Paqe mm' fi EI 3 S3 22 Ft Ft m m Lund did question why someone would complain of harassment. "Our purpose is to bring criminals to justice within the confines of the law. The person who complains may have deep roots against law enforcement-n- ot everyone likes us," he continued. But Hunt said the potential for governmental abuse is too great to let agencies keep tabs on private citizens. "The government has great power. They could do something clandestinely without charges ever being filed. It's just terrible and frightening. It stifles freedom of thought. To this day I worry about speaking out," he said. a e lO 2 S3 On tl 2 2 (2 BOOK COMPANY WILL MAKE NEBRASKA UT THEIR BEST OFFER ON TITLES THAT WE CANNOT BUYBACK. THEIR PRICE IS DETERMINED m BY THE NATIONAL JUNE 3 FRIDAY SATURDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY 6 7 8 9 FRIDAY BUYBACK fJ H 8:00 10:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 8:00 4 THURSDAY RESALE MARKET. 10 am am am am am am am IS LOCATED AT THE NOHTH END Vf-- THfc (NEXT TO OUR POST OFFICE). PLEASE UNIVERSITY 5:30 3:00 5:30 7:30 5:30 5:30 6:00 pm pm pm pm pm pm pm BUUKbTUnc REMEMBER: I.D. OR A VALID DRIVERS LICENSE IS REQUIRED! m jigg fLft IS 11 22 1 ! A COMPLETE m BUYBACK LIST WILL Be HUSTbU UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE UNIVERSITY M F 8:00 am 5:30 pm Tues. nights until 7:30 OF ' UTAH Sal. 10:00 am 3:00 pm CAMPUS VISAMasterCardAmencan Express acceptod |