Papers Please
You Vill Show Us Your Papers Bitte
On the 9th of December 2005, Deborah Davis (whose son is serving in Iraq) will be arraigned in U.S. District Court in a case that will determine whether we live in a free society, or in a country where we must “show papers” whenever the police demand them.
Deborah Davis’ case is about one thing: the right to travel.
The reason why she was charged has absolutely nothing to do with security. The guard at the Denver Federal Center wasn’t checking IDs against a ‘no ride’ list: there is no such thing. The demands made against Deb Davis were nothing more than a compliance test, a demand that she kowtow to officialdom. And lest we forget, having to show your ID is a search without a warrant.
Big brother stuff. Did you ever think you’d see the “papers please” mentality in the good old USA?
Growing up during the Cold War I was always told that this was a tactic of police in authoritarian regimes. On any demand for papers, people had to prove their identity and show that they had a right to be where they were. Oppressed “comrades” in the USSR couldn’t travel if they couldn’t get the proper papers (those with unacceptable views couldn’t ever get those papers). Same thing in Nazi Germany.
This is just a foretaste of things to come with the Real ID legislation, which was “snuck in the back door” per usual modus operandi of this administration. Authorities will be able to throw an American citizen in jail – even if they committed no crime – because he or she elected not to show police their identification papers. They’re even talking about screening points and checkpoints. ID checks at airports didn’t stop any terrorists on 9/11 – this is a control strategy against us.
Rosa Parks, meet your spirit sister Deborah Davis. Two women – bus riders.
Tell me again, who is it that hates our freedom?
Rocking the Bus
Reason Magazine, 30 November 2005
Let Her Ride Without ‘Papers’
Rocky Mountain News, 30 November 2005
Coloradan Faces Jail For Refusal To Show ID
Washington Times, 30 November 2005
Ridin’ the Bus With Deborah
OpEd News, 29 November 2005
Refusal To Present ID Sparks Test Of Rights
Rocky Mountain News, 29 November 2005
Court Trip Next Stop For Bus Rider
Denver Post, 27 November 2005
4 thoughts on “Papers Please”
Wow! I have been out the loop lately, but why has this not been reported more? This is disgusting! Are we still in America? did I fall asleep and land in Russia? This seems like a scene from “Hogans Heroes” not 2005 in America! Wow. takes alot to leave me speechless, but this has. I am off to spread this to everyone I know! thanks again Heidi for keeping me in the loop! , signed your friend in the “Alien Nation”
Heidi,
I have to agree that this situation was outrageous and handled horribly wrong by the authorities. However, checking ID’s going into Federal Installations isn’t a vialation of anyones rights and it doesn’t constitute a search and seisure violation either as far as I know, but I have been wrong before.
Seems to me that IDs could be shown the entrance, like at a courthouse? Or if they are really paranoid, as people are getting off the bus? Why would they board buses and “card” everyone just because the Federal Center was on the bus route? She wasn’t even getting off there.
Last year the Supreme Court ruled that a suspect in a criminal investigation can be required to give his name. But it has never upheld a policy of requiring ordinary citizens to carry ID and present it on demand.
Over 30 years ago I started travelling between California and British Columbia. I did so without any form of identification!
Once, a couple of American Customs Officers boarded the train I was on and asked everyone to show their ID. When they came to me, I explained that I was an American Citizen and no I didn’t have any ID. They were pretty shocked and asked me how I could prove I was a citizen, or what would I do if they didn’t allow me to proceed. I explained that I would call my mother and she could vouch for my place of birth. After some time, the older officer asked me what hi-school I had gone to in California. “San Diegito Hi”I replied and they let me continue.
I scarcely believe I could get away with it now. 😉
Nevertheless after living in Canada for well over 30 years, I am feeling increasingly uneasy about the policies and apparent paranoia of the land of my birth. This fixation on papers is, IMNSHO, one of the symptoms of this disease.
It is much easier to influence your constituents through fear, than lead them through inspiration. I find it sad that environmental degradation, global warming and fossil fuel depletion are considered less threatening to the well being of the USA, than terrorism!
Oh Well,
Good Night and Good Luck!
Elainna