Castro Calls for CIA to Declassify Civil Rights Records

Texas Representative Joaquin Castro (D) recently called for the CIA to release any hidden and classified documents related to black and Latino civil rights movements.

“During the '60s and '70s, the CIA and FBI infiltrated Black and Latino civil rights movements to disrupt the fight for equal rights. Today, many of the details of those activities are still hidden. This week, I got the CIA to promise to declassify remaining records,” said Rep. Castro in a statement.

“In recent decades, the United States Intelligence Community has worked to reform practices that led to the illegal disruption and infiltration of peaceful civil rights movements, particularly in the 1950s, 60s and 70s,” said Castro speaking to CIA Directors Burns and Wray.

The Texas lawmaker pointed to the CIA’s history spying on Americans as he used Martin Luther King, Jr. as an example. Additionally, Castro highlighted previous operations such as Operation Chaos that have been highly criticized.

“Yesterday, I sent a letter asking your agencies to declassify and release, to the greatest extent possible, materials related to surveillance of Latino civil rights movements, if any exists in your holdings. And I want to ask whether you’ll commit to working with me to improve the historical record and ensure that U.S. intelligence agencies can correct the mistakes of the past with regard to surveillance of Latino civil rights organizations.”

Both Burns and Wray agreed that they could help the Texas representative.

“We will review your letter and see what we can provide,” said Wray.

Castro has challenged several officials recently, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) over his “failed” push for school vouchers over the last few years.

“Because @GovAbbott and Texas Republicans put all their energy into their failed school voucher push, Texas schools are about to lose more than $300 million in special education funding. Our most vulnerable kids are at risk because Abbott puts political stunts over people,” said Rep. Castro.