Episode 3: Democracy in the Dark: COINTELRPO and The 1971 Break-In That Changed America
We uncover the shocking story of the 1971 FBI office break-in that exposed COINTELPRO, a secret program that surveilled and disrupted American citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
• Eight ordinary citizens formed the Citizens Commission to Investigate the FBI
• While Muhammad Ali fought Joe Frazier, activists broke into the Media, Pennsylvania FBI office
• More than 1,000 classified documents were stolen, revealing widespread illegal surveillance
• COINTELPRO targeted civil rights leaders, Black nationalists, and anti-war protesters
• Tactics included infiltration, psychological warfare, and even operations that led to deaths
• The FBI actively worked to prevent "the rise of a Black messiah" who could unify communities
• Fred Hampton of the Black Panther Party was assassinated in an FBI-coordinated raid
• Revelations led to the Church Committee investigations and significant intelligence reforms
• The burglars remained anonymous for over 40 years before finally revealing themselves
• Their actions fundamentally changed how Americans view government power and accountability
Join us next time as we continue to explore the hidden stories that shaped our world in ways you never learned in history class.
