TSA Search Procedures Protested In Richmond Airport

On its website Thursday, December 30th, the Richmond Times-Dispatch ran this story:

"A Charlottesville man who stripped down to his underwear at Richmond International Airport in protest of security screening procedures was charged with disorderly conduct Thursday. Airport police identified him as Aaron B. Tobey, 21, who said he was a student at the University of Cincinnati. The incident occurred at 2:17 p.m. at Checkpoint B, the busier of the airport’s two checkpoints, said airport spokesman Troy M. Bell.

Bell said police reported that when they arrived at the checkpoint, they found Tobey, “absent of pants and shirt in full public view, exposing language regarding the 4th Amendment written on his chest and abdomen with marker or crayon.”

The message read, "Amendment 4: The right of the people to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated," said Bell.

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution protects Americans against unreasonable search and seizure.

Many air travelers are upset by tough new, anti-terrorism screening procedures in which they must choose between full-body scans by detectors or pat-down searches.

Tobey was interviewed by airport police and federal authorities, issued a citation for disorderly conduct and released. He is scheduled for arraignment in Henrico County General District Court on Jan. 10."

Mr. Tobey may not be a lawyer, but we like his moxey, and wish him well.