ACLU Succeeding in Having Searches Banned at NFL Stadiums

It's a good thing that the Department of Homeland Security is skeptical about the threat to set off radiological "dirty bombs" in seven National Football League stadiums, because the American Civil Liberties Union is doing all it can to prevent anyone being searched at NFL stadiums anyway.

From an ACLU press release:

Tampa Buccaneers Fans Free from Mass Random Searches

TAMPA, FL -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida today announced that a federal judge has blocked mass pat-down searches at Buccaneer games, stating that the public “has a compelling interest in preserving the constitutional right to be free from unreasonable governmental intrusion.”

The court order follows a similar injunction issued by a state court judge in October of last year and prohibits mass random searches of Tampa Buccaneers patrons without individualized suspicion. In both rulings, the courts held that the Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches such as those being conducted at Raymond James Stadium, which is owned and operated by the Tampa Sports Authority.

“This case is important because it involves being forced to give up a very real liberty in the name of generalized fear,” said Rebecca Harrison Steele, Director of the ACLU of Florida’s West Central office. “The government does not have a blank check to suspend the constitutional rights of Americans. Across-the-board pat-downs are a violation of each and every person's rights, and we are happy that has been upheld by the court."

Via Stop the ACLU.