Thursday, 4:30 PM
ACLU seeks commuter feedback on T bag searches
By Mac Daniel, Globe Staff
The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts today began placing ad placards on MBTA subway lines asking for information from passengers whose bags have been searched under a new security policy.
The group says the signs will both allow them to alert passengers about their civil rights and to monitor the random bag checks, which began Oct. 11 and made the T the only US transit system, besides the New York City subway, with regular screenings.
ACLU officials have said they might challenge the searches in court, but not before finding out more about how they are being conducted.
The placards, which read "Have you been subjected to a search on the T?" say the transit agency can have effective security "without sacrificing our basic rights."
The 225 signs, paid for by an anonymous donation to the ACLU, were placed on the Red, Orange, and Blue subway lines for the next 10 weeks.
