Does passenger screening system target dissenters?. I was there when it happened. Our fact-finding group from TransAfrica Forum had just returned from Venezuela and was waiting for our baggage to be unloaded from the plane at the Miami International Airport. We had cleared immigration with no problem and were almost ready for connecting flights after a grueling weeklong tour.
After a significant wait, our bags eventually started to arrive on the carousel. But nothing came for Danny Glover.
The actor, known for his roles in the Lethal Weapon films, is also a human rights activist. As chair of TransAfrica Forum’s board, he was a member of our Venezuela delegation. When his things finally arrived, we immediately noticed that two of his boxes had been opened by U.S. Customs officials. They were damaged and crisscrossed with green tape. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “This has been happening to me every time I return from overseas.”
On each of his four most recent trips abroad, he has endured intrusive searches or extra scrutiny by Customs.
As we pushed for answers, an airline representative confirmed that Customs had indeed gone through Mr. Glover’s items. Is there evidence that he is a smuggler of contraband? A security risk? An illegal immigrant? Is there any reason to suggest that his activities should be scrutinized?
For some unknown reason he has been flagged. (link)
There have been a lot of stories floating around about activists and critics of the Bush administration having trouble whenever they fly. Fun fact: Glover has endorsed Kucinich for president and done a lot of campaigning for him. [Al-Muhajabah’s Islamic Blogs]
It’s not just Communist actors having trouble, either. As I wrote a few weeks ago, pro-freedom writer Frank Ney isn’t just subject to harrassment–he’s not allowed to fly at all.
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