Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Activists Sue to End Free Lunch

Well, not really, but almost as dumb:

Two civil rights groups filed a lawsuit in federal court to stop the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority from randomly inspecting passengers’ bags, saying it’s an unconstitutional violation of personal privacy. ...

The random inspections began Thursday, just in time for the Democratic National Convention, which started Monday at the FleetCenter. The policy is the first of its kind in the country.

The groups say the searches violate the Fourth Amendment because they don’t require information that the person searched is suspected of criminal activity. They’ve urged customers not to consent to the searches.

‘’There is no way the MBTA can implement this policy in a constitutional manner,’’ said National Lawyers Guild national president Michael Avery.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said the bags aren’t opened. Instead, they are run through a machine that detects if explosives are inside. Pesaturo said so far no one has objected to having their bags inspected.

You know - this is a good idea activists. Bombs and other nastiness aren’t typically carried in pockets.  I haven’t been asked, but I would run my briefcase through the machine no problem.

Oh, and if it’s unconstitutional, how is it that the airlines have been getting away with it all these years?

Posted by Matt on 07/27 at 02:43 PM
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