The surveillance of advocacy groups by the Maryland State Police was significantly more extensive than previously acknowledged, reports The Washington Post.

Records show that troopers monitored, and labeled as terrorists, activists of causes focusing on a diversity of issues, including human rights and animal rights. The operation, which began in 2005 with preparations for the scheduled executions of two men on death row, has been called a “waste of resources” by the current police superintendent and “undemocratic” by the governor.

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