In new efforts to protect citisens against domestic and international terrorism, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has implemented body scanners at airports nationwide. In addition to metal detectors, these machines capture 3-D images of potential passengers and transmit the photos to agents responsible for analytics. Originally, the TSA claimed the "scanned images cannot be stored or recorded” but this claim has since been debunked.
Steve Bierfeldt, development director of one of the soundest liberty activism hubs in the states, has rolled out a plan to give citizens options when confronted by invasive security tactics. After being detained in March 2009 for carrying $5,000 in sales from a conference, he sued the Department of Homeland Security for unconstitutional search and detainment. “I was threatened with arrest and criminal prosecution if I did not divulge what I did for a living and where I got the money. Unbeknownst to TSA and local police, I recorded the conversation with my cell phone…”.
As the civil rights arguments develop around these new travel regulations and more citizens are responding daily, it seems as though this project is right on time. “The screening procedures by TSA are unacceptable. Passengers are forced to choose between machines that take naked pictures of you, or they must allow a TSA worker to perform an enhanced pat-down which is nothing short of sexual molestation”.
The TSA Opt-Out Project’s goal “is to make a public showing that there is massive opposition to the TSA's tactics”. In order to exhibit the ground swell of resistance they believe that, “by forcing the TSA to personally pat-down or deal with hundreds or thousands of individuals who opt-out would create an initial half in their pornographic screening process. If done properly and consistently, it would force them to re-consider their stances. When done effectively, boycotts and protests do work… often times it takes individuals willing to risk their time and money to take a stand.”
Penn and Teller on their VIP treatment…
More partners in crime…
By Corey Hubbard, an American citizen who is currently interning at the House of Commons.
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