FBI trailed 1960s Free Speech leader

Mon., Oct. 11, 2004

Associated Press

BERKELEY, Calif. — FBI investigators trailed a 1960s student protest leader for more than a decade despite having no evidence he broke any federal laws.

Hundreds of pages of FBI files, obtained by the San Francisco Chronicle, showed that investigators collected personal information about Mario Savio, including documents on his marriage and divorce, without a court order. The FBI also obtained copies of Savio’s tax returns in violation of federal rules.

The FBI files showed that Savio, who died in 1996, was designated a “key activist” by the agency, and was placed on a list of people to be detained without warrant in the event of a national emergency.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forum series -- which helps to boost local journalism -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax-deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

FBI trailed 1960s Free Speech leader

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

U.S. says it can keep naval blockade on Iran 'indefinitely,' vows more economic pressure

U.S. military has lost roughly 25% of its Reaper drones as Iran war depletes arsenal

‘It’s like grave robbing’: Plan to auction off Titanic artifacts draws pushback