The independent news website Truthout obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request documents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Occupy Wall Street. They were requested by the website’s investigative reporter Jason Leopold.

The news outlet was the first to request the records. The request was made in October of last year. “All records, including emails, memoranda, letters, audio/video, transcripts, reports, including Threat Assessments, related to the protest movement known as ‘Occupy Wall  Street,’” were requested.

DHS had Truthout limit the request to “responsive records from DHS senior officials only.” Truthout agreed to limit the scope of the request.

According to Leopold, the documents show DHS “closely” monitored Twitter about OWS protests and activities. They were monitoring the moves of organizers too. The agency was “very hands on.”

The documents show how DHS fixated on the role of hacktivist group “Anonymous” in Occupy Wall Street. The Office of Intelligence and Analysis put out a bulletin on the upcoming US operations by “Anonymous” on September 17, 2011 (the kickoff date for Occupy Wall Street). The bulletin highlighted the call to action put out by Adbusters and the ideology within the call.

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