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CDC volunteer arrested at Albuquerque airport
Transportation Security Administration
Updates

Mon, Nov 16, 2009, 11:20PST -- The lawyer we got hold of didn't get to his arraignment in time. It appears Phil was arraigned and put back in the Metropolitan Detention Center, with no modifications to his bond. We've contacted a bonding company and are working to get them 10% bond payment information and license copies via frustrating fax technology. The bond will cost $275, and of that, $228 is non-refundable.

We've continued talking with a few civil rights attorneys in Albuquerque, in hopes of finding someone willing to 1) deal with the litany of criminal charges they threw at Phil for his amateur photography, and 2) seek redress after that. Currently, Phil is still incarcerated.

Mon, Nov 16, 2009, 8:30PST -- Phil is charged with four counts -- disorderly conduct, concealing his identity, refusing to obey an officer, and criminal trespass. He is being arraigned this morning.

It is unclear whether police were called because of Phil's refusal to show ID to TSA, or because Phil took photos at the TSA checkpoint. It appears to be the latter -- the photo taking. Interestingly, Phil contacted the Albuquerque airport (scroll down a bit and look for the pmocek posts) many months ago about this very same issue, and was told by airport officials that it is legal to take photographs at the TSA checkpoint.

After much scrambling, we found an attorney who (hopefully) is representing Phil at his arraignment. His bond was initially set at $2,275. The bonding window doesn't take phone payments, so we need someone local to bail him out (either the lawyer, or a bail bondsman). We've set up a paypal account for Phil's Legal Defense Fund.
Activist arrested at Albuquerque airport

Sun, Nov 15, 2009 -- A Washington State medical marijuana activist was arrested at the Albuquerque airport today after refusing to show ID to TSA screeners. Activist Phil Mocek is one of many Americans who believe Americans have a right to travel freely between the states without showing their papers to the federal government.

Mocek was tabling at the 2009 International Drug Policy Reform Conference for a Seattle-based activist group called the Cannabis Defense Coalition. The event was attended by over one thousand people, including New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and former Governor Gary Johnson.

At the Albuquerque airport for his flight back to Seattle, Mocek politely refused to show his ID to a TSA screener, who called in a supervisor. Mocek started recording with his digital camera, which caused the TSA supervisor to become extremely agitated. The police were called in, with six officers arriving on the scene. Mocek was immediately arrested. Another Seattle activist, Jesse Gallagos, was traveling with Mocek, and was driven in a police cruiser to the edge of the Albuquerque airport, dropped off, and told he was banned from flying for 24 hours.

Like many Americans, Mocek has flown for years without showing ID to federal officials. He made headlines last year for questioning security measures at Kansas City Airport in regards to their ID requirements.

At this point, it remains unclear what Mocek was arrested for. Unofficial police statements say is being booked for "disturbing the peace" by taking photographs at a TSA checkpoint. As of 5 p.m. Sunday, Mocek has been in police custody for four hours, and is still being "processed" by airport police.

The Cannabis Defense Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group focused on medical marijuana activism in Washington State. If you know anyone local to Albuquerque that can help, please contact Ben Livingston at 206-335-9214

* Press release
* Flyer Arrested in NM After Declining to Show ID - Philosecurity - November 15, 2009

Phil's Defense Fund

We've set up a Paypal account to raise funds to get Phil out of jail, and help defend him against these charges. Please consider contributing to Phil's legal defense.