Monthly Archives: February 2011

XOXOXO to secret admirer Government Security News!

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

We’re pleased to see that news of the ACLU-NCA/MCCRC “SAY NO! to Metro Bag Searches” petition and education drive  travels fast. Yesterday one online publication scooped the competition, writing A Washington DC-area citizens’ civil rights group and the American Civil … Continue reading →

Posted in Post | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

ACLU-NCA, MCCRC: “SAY NO! to Metro Bag Searches”

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

The Montgomery County Civil Rights Coalition (MCCRC) is joining the American Civil Liberties Union of the National Capital Area (ACLU-NCA) in launching a public education and petition campaign against WMATA’s random bag search program. The petition text reads as follows: … Continue reading →

Posted in Post | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Civil liberties and the next generation

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

This blog usually focuses on the cause of civil liberties and civil rights in Montgomery County — not on our personal lives. But sometimes they’re one and the same. My daughter Maddie Nephew and her friends Binta Coulibaly and Susana … Continue reading →

Posted in Post, Video | Tagged , | Leave a comment

March 1 panel on the Egyptian Revolution in Rockville

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

The Montgomery County Council is hosting an event entitled “The Egyptian Revolution: What Happened?  And What Happens Now?” on March 1 from 6-8pm in the Council Hearing Room on the 3rd floor of the County Council Office Building (101 Monroe … Continue reading →

Posted in Event, Post | Tagged | 1 Comment

Demand JUSTICE not the PATRIOT Act

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

A word from BORDC on the PATRIOT Act: Ten years after passing the USA PATRIOT Act, Congress is again debating this enormous expansion of government power. With three provisions set to expire at the end of this month, and Tuesday’s revolt … Continue reading →

Posted in Post | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Have you been stopped by a WMATA bag search? Contact us

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

We are interested in learning about bag searches experienced by Metro riders.  If you or someone you know have been stopped by a Metro Transit Police Department bag search station at a Metro station, please contact us at mococivilrights@gmail.com with … Continue reading →

Posted in Post | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Video: WMATA Board discusses bag searches

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

Video of 2/10/11 WMATA board bag search discussion, http://vimeo.com/19854847; we are developing a timelined transcript worksheet of director remarks, and ask for your help.*Please note that this links to nearly one hour of video, and thus takes several minutes to … Continue reading →

Posted in Post, Video | Tagged , | 1 Comment

ACLU-NCA, BORDC, Defending Dissent redouble bag search fight

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

On Thursday, the WMATA Board of Directors “Customer Service and Operations” committee will take up the Riders Advisory Council’s recommendations against WMATA’s ‘random’ bag search program. But no matter what happens in that meeting, a strong civil liberties coalition against … Continue reading →

Posted in Post | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

WMATA chair Hudgins: bag searches “out of our hands”

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

WMATA’s new chair Catherine Hudgins is also a Fairfax County supervisor with the practice of holding “First Monday” of the month meetings to hear from constituents.  Yesterday’s meeting was at the Reston Regional Library — and two bag search opponents … Continue reading →

Posted in Post | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Stop “fast track” reauthorization of the “PATRIOT” Act!

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Thomas Nephew

We’re joining with other groups like Get FISA Right to oppose HR514, a “fast track” bill that would extend some of the PATRIOT Act’s worst provisions set to lose authorization, such as Section 215 secret court orders allowing access to … Continue reading →

Posted in Post | Tagged , | Leave a comment