I Was Arrested for Learning a Foreign Language. Today, I Have Some Closure

Post by ffn » Sun, Jan 25, 2015, 9:34 PM UTC

zaroth wrote: post #60

hownottowrite wrote: post #45

Summary of Agreement (not judgement): 1. Plaintiff received $25K (directed to ACLU legal and subject to tax) 2. Philadelphia PD must communicate the following for a period of months: "Investigative detentions may be made only on reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct and any arrest must be based on probable cause. A referral by TSA agents is not grounds for arrest unless an officer makes a judgment ofprobable cause…

Other notable facts: recent travel to middle east, flash cards included words like "terrorist", "explosion", "bomb", "to kidnap", etc., didn't follow basic screening process guaranteeing an elevated inspection (left large electronics in bag), had the cards in his pocket and handed directly to the TSA agent. As soon as someone arrived who had the necessary pay-grade to release this guy, he was released. Sorry for miss…

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Jan 25, 2015, 10:03 PM UTC

lisper wrote: post #141

jessaustin wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

...the TSA... wasn't responsible for the longer (few hour) detention by the Philly Police. This rings true to me. The TSA in general does not want people in custody. They know themselves that most of what they do is bullshit, so what would be the point? When I was delayed by TSA, they were eager to turn me over to LVPD, who, after a short conversation about the best way to deal with TSA bureaucracy and escape with mi…

Minimal fines??? Why would you need to pay any fines?

Post by mikeash » Sun, Jan 25, 2015, 10:08 PM UTC

DanBC wrote: post #140

saraid216 wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

...why were you waiting to hear these details? Court documents are open to the public.

The details were not part of the reporting and it seems like many HN readers were not aware of the details until the links to the court document were posted. What happened to him is clearly not acceptable, but the story is not "Learning Arabic got me arrested" but "handing a list of words including 'bomb' and 'terrorist' to a security screener got me arrested". I'm not sure the Arabic is relevant - I suspect the NSA…

Post by sarciszewski » Sun, Jan 25, 2015, 10:14 PM UTC

thanksgiving wrote: post #103

sarciszewski wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sort of assumption is prejudicial, but it's the sort of cynicism that leads to erring on the side of caution and making sure your rights are respected. You can't trust most people, cops are no exception. In that regard, it might be viewed as pragmatic.

I am sorry you're getting downvoted but this is absolutely right. Remember to never talk to the police. This sounds a little sarcastic but I promise you that it is not. Never, ever "help" the police, even if you are not a suspect. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wXkI4t7nuc The police do not have a duty to protect you [nytimes]. Why do you have a duty to help them? [nytimes] http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/politics…

Post by janvidar » Sun, Jan 25, 2015, 10:24 PM UTC

jkot wrote: post #116

thanksgiving wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> As someone said, accused parents in such cases have less rights than Breivik. Hang on a minute. Here in the US, my tax dollars support your children. WIC and Food Stamps and school lunch programs which come from my tax dollars ensure your infants and children do not starve in case something happens to you or your income. As a parent, you get to claim tax deductions which means more money out of my pocket to cover f…

??? I dont follow. Parents have right for due process, right to raise their own children and so on. Children also have some rights, those might colide wiuth rights of parents in some cases. Problem is that in Norway parents have ZERO rights. Norway have not signed relevant EU treaties for Child Protection. Once children is taken by social servies, there is were little chance for return. SS than bullies parents, force…