TRI In The News
Court Sides With College Student In Battle With TSA
From WINA 1070
Original article available here
An appeals court has upheld a lawsuit that attorneys for the Rutherford Institute initiated on behalf of a college student who was arrested for protesting whole-body imaging scanners and enhanced pat downs. Aaron Tobey (pictured) was arrested by TSA agents in December 2010 at Richmond International Airport. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected an appeal by the TSA that sought to dismiss a claim that its agents violated the student's free speech rights. Tobey shed his shirt and displayed parts of the Fourth Amendment on his chest. Rutherford Institute founder John Whitehead says Tobey engaged in non-disruptive expressive protest, and citizens have the right to be free from retaliation by public officials. Rutherford Institute attorneys filed suit contending Tobey’s arrest and subsequent questioning violated his constitutional rights.
