People Who Express Outrage Over TSA Groping Can Now Be Put on a Watchlist

 The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is forming a new  watchlist specifically for people who give its agents a hard time during  security screenings, and are deemed “unruly” passengers who act in ways that TSA agents find “offensive.” 

The New York Times obtained a five-page directive recently published by the agency announcing the establishment of the watchlist or “95 list,” which is a new program that began in February. 

The directive, which was reportedly issued by Darby LaJoye, TSA’s assistant administrator for security operations, states that “An intent to injure or cause physical pain is not required, nor is an actual physical injury.” 

The criteria that could land a person on the list is extremely vague  and could include anything from loitering near the checkpoint to having a  verbal altercation with a TSA agent. The directive also suggested that  anyone who presents “challenges to the safe and effective completion of screening” could be added to the list. 

On Thursday, Congress asked the agency to reveal more details about  the watchlist and to notify the people who have been added to it. Until  the report from the Times, the agency did not reveal any details to the  public, even those who are on the list. 

During a House of Representatives Homeland Security hearing, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey said, “TSA  has an important job to do, and I want TSA officers to be safe and  secure. What I don’t want—what I think no American would want —is an  excuse for unfair, secret profiling that doesn’t even offer a chance for  people to contest their name appearing on such a list.” 

TSA Deputy Chief Counsel Kelly Wheaton said in a recent statement that there only 50 people  on the list, but two other government security officials told the Times  under the condition of anonymity that there are likely many more people  on this list. 

TSA spokesman Matthew F. Leas said in a statement that the agency “wants  to ensure there are safeguards in place to protect Transportation  Security Officers (TSOs) and others from any individual who has  previously exhibited disruptive or assaultive behavior at a screening  checkpoint and is scheduled to fly.” 

While this list does not prevent a passenger from flying, it does  mark them as a potential target for searches or detainment if they  continue to behave in ways that agents find suspicious. I

t seems obvious that this new measure is targeting activists who object to TSA overreach or “opt out”  during screenings. 

The TSA has been incredibly controversial since its  inception, and there is a large segment of the US population who find  ways to protest the agency every time they fly. It is very likely that  this is the type of “disruptive” or “unruly” behavior that this new list is seeking to identify and single out. 

Most of the formal watchlists that agencies like the TSA have had in  place for years have been shown to have massive problems, but no changes  have made, and countless names are added to these lists each year. In  some cases, children have been added to watchlists, and in other cases, TSA employees themselves have ended up on these lists. 

In 2016, The Free Thought Project reported that calling the police or having a misdemeanor on your criminal record could land you on a watchlist. There is plenty of reason for people to protest the TSA, as we report  on a regular basis—its agents commit horrific acts against travelers  and not just the invasive groping that everyone is subject to. 

TSA agents have been caught stealing from travelers, smuggling drugs, and committing outright assault. This could soon be a problem that affects more than just air travelers, considering recent reports of the TSA expanding to bus and train stations as well as large-scale events. 

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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY:

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My name is John Vibes and I am an author and researcher who organizes a number of large events including the Free Your Mind Conference. I write for numerous alternative media websites, including The Free Thought Project @tftproject and The Mind Unleashed. In addition to my first book, Alchemy of the Timeless Renaissance, I have also co-authored three books with Derrick Broze @dbroze : The Conscious Resistance: Reflections on Anarchy and Spirituality, Finding Freedom in an Age of Confusion and Manifesto of the Free Humans

I just won a 3-year-long battle with cancer, and will be working to help others through my experience, if you wish to contribute to my medical bills, consider subscribing to my podcast on Patreon.