NYers to NYPD: 'I Do Not Consent to Being Searched'

The Village Voice ^ | July 21st, 200 | by Chisun Lee

[BigFinn]

Spend $16.99 so you can wear this to your grave

Reacting to the NYPD's announcement Thursday afternoon that police would randomly—but routinely—search the bags of commuters, one concerned New Yorker quickly created a way for civil libertarians to make their views black-and-white. In a few outraged moments, local immigrant rights activist Tony Lu designed t-shirts bearing the text, "i do not consent to being searched." The minimalist protest-wear can be purchased here, in various styles and sizes. (Lu will not get a cut. The shirts' manufacture, sale, and shipment, will be handled by the online retailer. Lu encourages budget-conscious New Yorkers to make their own and wear them everywhere.)

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly had announced the legally obvious—that New Yorkers are free to decline a search and "turn around and leave." But Lu, who is a lawyer at Urban Justice Center, warned that even well-intentioned cops could interpret people's natural nervousness or anger as "reasonable suspicion." The possibility of unjustified interrogation and even arrest is real, Lu said.

Although police promised they would not engage in racial profiling, Lu said that, as with all street-level policing, people of color and poor immigrants would be particularly vulnerable, especially if encounters lead to arrests.

[petercooper]

Hey NYC Cops, look for people that look like this>>

[durasell]

Yeah, but he was giggling when he said it and poking Joe in the ribs with his elbow. Beria was known for his sense of humor.

[Oberon]

yea, well unlike most of you crybabies, I actually fought commies in combat and if you ladies have a problem opening your bags to the cops before getting on the subway you can walk...there's the stairs! LMAO

Okay, so you're a good Marine. I admire that. I remind you, therefore, of your oath to defend the US Constitution. If unintentionally quoting Stalin's chief of the secret police is your idea of doing that, well...there's not much I can say.

I just hope you remember how to use that rifle.

[Sonny M]

New York City has large populations of Hispanics and Southern Europeans (Italians, Greeks, Jews, etc.), some of whom resemble Middle Easterners. Additionally, there are many Black Muslims among the city's large African American population, as well as substantial numbers of South and Southeast Asians, some of whom are Muslim. Other than the Northern European (Irish, British, German, etc.) and Northeast Asian (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) minorities, the rest of the Big Apple's population could be profiled. Profiling on race alone may not work there.

The issue of race, and profiling is one of the most sensitive things here.

And the politicians are very quick and eager to get involved in race while attacking the NYPD.

Remember, this is the same city where Al Sharpton lives.

[oceanview]

do you realize how many civilian complaints are filed every year? only the most serious cases even get close to "almost losing a badge". the NYPD under Rudy conducted stop and frisk sweeps all over the city with the street crimes units - far worse then asking someone to open a bag - I didn't see any stories of en masse badge pulling.

[plain talk]

It's poorly thought out

I think your rant is not well thought out. We can not eliminate terrorism but we can make it increasingly difficult to pull off. What's next is a massive new installation of videocameras in public places. Despite the whining of the ex-druggies the law-abiding people will demand it. I have no problem with it. (But then some people say I love the feel of jackboot on my neck)

[microgood]

My fear here is that if this creates huge lines, the terrorists can just wait until they are in the middle of the line and detonate right there, if they are truly suicide bombers.

Then what are they going to do?

[beltfed308]

Quote: "If you have done nothing wrong, comrade, then you have nothing to fear." - Lavrenti Pavlovich Beria (1899 - 1953), chief of the Soviet Secret Police (NKVD) under Stalin.

As requested :>)

[zeaal]

"Lu will not get a cut. The shirts' manufacture, sale, and shipment, will be handled by the online retailer." Lu is selling the shirts through cafepress.com and SOMEONE or some org is getting a cut. Period.

[ArrogantBustard]

John Glenn fought against commies, too ... and Japanese imperialists before that.

He was a 'Rat's 'Rat as a Senator, though, and I'm proud to have voted against him every time I had the opportunity.

There's a lesson in that little story for you.

[Stu Cohen]

As a New Yorker, I consent to anything that will make me safer.

People who give up liberty for safety deserve (and usualy get) neither, yada, yada, yada.

Yeah, it's a cliche', but some cliche's are true.

[superiorslots]

Quote: Baby stepping into tyranny!



Babystepping? Hell we are! were running!!

[Not A Snowbird]

It's one thing to search people at random in the name of public safety, but it is grossly unacceptable in a place where law-abiding citizens aren't even allowed to carry firearms for their own protection.

Two different issues, but you have a point.

[kellynla]

and while we're on the subject of terrorism,

while thousands of my Marine Corps brothers & sisters are putting their asses on the line to fight for YOUR FREEDOM, the least you can do while you're sitting safely behind your computers is support the cause and if that means extra security at bus terminals and subways and an extra inconvenience to passengers; THEN SMILE & DEAL WITH IT!

That's the least you can do while others are losing life and limb to protect YOU!


And just thank God when you hit your knees tonight you're not in Iraq or Afghanistan!


Semper Fi,
Kelly

[flashbunny]

Maybe you should take some time to read the constitution you were fighting for.

[RedRover]

Unfortunately, the police are forced into being so p.c. that they will bypass someone who actually fits the terrorist profile to search a Norwegian grandmother with a fanny pack.
Still, searches are a deterrent and I welcome them.

PS. Though I might feel differently if I wore a fanny pack.

[American_Centurion]

In NYC the "ethnic" will more likely be based on political affiliation or wealth than skin color. That's why I said ethnic and not racial, I'd be ecstatic if someone could provide me with a more precise word.

[oceanview]

the issue of the political courage of elected officials is something I agree with you on - they have none, they won't just come out and say "we will profile".

[Rodney King]

I actually think the whole search thing is stupid. Until they deport all non-citizen muslims, halt all immigration and visitation by people from certain muslim countries, and keep a close eye on all muslim citizens in any way involved with radical churches, it is ridiculous to make the rest of us go through extreme security measures.

If after the obvious things are done there is still a threat, then I will have no problem with these random bag searches.

[Sonny M]

do you realize how many civilian complaints are filed every year? only the most serious cases even get close to "almost losing a badge". the NYPD under Rudy conducted stop and frisk sweeps all over the city with the street crimes units - far worse then asking someone to open a bag - I didn't see any stories of en masse badge pulling.

I almost had a job with the civilian complaint review board, they get hundreds if not thousands of complaints a year, the NYPD Unions (with one notable exception) are strange when it comes to its members, I mean really strange.

That said, if you get IAB involved, they are usually pretty quick to judge you, and Rudy is no longer mayor, Bloomberg is, and Ray Kelly is an ass who seems to have more problems with rank and file then encouragement.