FBI Searches Cleveland Offices of Ohio Voting Rights Group
FBI agents raided voting rights group’s Cleveland offices Thursday, seizing devices and interviewing associates statewide as congresswomen slam “attack on democracy.”
CLEVELAND, OHIO — Federal agents searched the offices of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative on Thursday, prompting criticism from two Ohio congresswomen who called the actions an attack on democracy.
FBI agents conducted searches at the Cleveland offices of the voting and labor rights organization and reportedly interviewed people across the state who have worked with the collaborative, seizing electronic devices including phones and laptops in some cases.
Prentiss Haney, a board member of the organization, confirmed the FBI actions to multiple news outlets. The FBI and the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Congressional Response
Democratic U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown, who represents Cleveland, said her office has contacted federal authorities demanding information about the searches. Brown expressed concerns about the federal law enforcement actions.
“My office has contacted the FBI demanding information, and I am deeply concerned that this is an effort to use federal law enforcement to intimidate and halt voter registration and organizing efforts,” Brown said in a written statement. “This is an attack on democracy: these raids must end immediately.”
Brown said her inquiries to federal authorities have not been answered.
About the Organization
The Ohio Organizing Collaborative was formed in 2007 as a grassroots advocacy organization. According to its website, the group works to unite community organizing groups, student associations, faith organizations, labor unions, and policy institutes throughout Ohio.
“Ohio Organizing Collaborative is a grassroots people-centered power organization,” the organization’s website states. “We unite base-building community organizing groups, student associations and faith organizations, with labor unions, and policy institutes throughout Ohio. It is our mission to organize everyday Ohioans, building transformative power organizations for racial, social, and economic justice. Our vision is to build a democratic multi-racial populist governing coalition in Ohio.”
The organization advocates for voting rights, labor rights, and works against what it describes as outsized corporate power. Representatives from the collaborative could not immediately be reached for comment following Thursday’s federal actions.
The searches represent a significant federal law enforcement action targeting a prominent Ohio advocacy organization, though the specific reasons for the FBI’s interest in the group remain unclear. This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
