I have yet to be approached by the police and asked to be searched. But, I have to say, I’m now much more stressed when I commute. I wonder what I’ll do if they ask to search my bag? Will I stand on principle, refuse, and maybe have a walk to work? Will I refuse and walk to the next station and try there? (According to the NYCLU, if you refuse a search and try to enter anyway you can be arrested.) Or do I knuckle under for convenience and act cowardly?

It’s stressful. Much more stressful than worrying about random bombings…

Know Your Rights: Stops and Searches On The MTA (from the New York Civil Liberties Union) permanent link to this post