TTY: Morrissey groped at San Francisco International Airport

UPDATE Oct. 6:

Morrissey airport security incident CCTV video posted - Gawker

UPDATE 1:50 PM PT
:

Uncleskinny posted the link:

A TSA spokesperson has denied any officer misconduct to Rolling Stone. "TSA takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and strives to treat every passenger with dignity and respect," Mike England says. "Upon review of closed circuit TV footage, TSA determined that the supervised officer followed standard operating procedures in the screening of this individual."

UPDATE July 31:

Morrissey claims sex assault by security at US airport - BBC News

Excerpt posted by klaus:

He added that the arrival of a second person to screen Morrissey was normal, and helped "to ensure the passenger does not have threat items, such as explosives concealed under clothing."



San Francisco International Airport
- true-to-you.net
29 July 2015

On leaving the US on 27 July I flew from San Francisco International Airport to London on flight BA 284.

At 2:30 in the afternoon I went through the usual airport security procedure including the stand-up 'scanner', and all was well - no bleeps and nothing unusual.

Before I could gather my belongings from the usual array of trays I was approached by an "airport security officer" who stopped me, crouched before me and groped my penis and testicles. He quickly moved away as an older "airport security officer" approached.

The officer who sexually assaulted me was identified as the General Manager On Duty. Luckily I was accompanied by two members of British Airways Special Services, who were horrified at the sexual attack and suggested that I lodge a complaint. I asked if there would be any point in lodging a complaint since, as with any complaint against a figure in "authority", the complaints are simply collected in order to protect the guilty officer should the matter go further. The British Airways Special Services employees assured me that a complaint was worthwhile, and so I filed the appropriate information. However, before doing so, the guilty "officer" was confronted, and the conversation went thus:

You have just sexually groped this man.
Officer: That's just your opinion.
What you have done is illegal.
Officer: That's just your opinion.
You have no right to do what you have just done.
Officer: That's just your opinion.

Apart from "that's just your opinion", he would not comment, even though, since the penis and testicles were mine and no one else's, then my opinion must surely have some meaning. But, of course, what the airport security officer was saying was: your opinion will never count in the eyes of the law. The words "that's just your opinion" volunteered themselves from this 'officer's' mouth before he had even heard the question. He knew he could be confronted, but he also knew that he could never be challenged (even though the entire incident is most certainly on CCTV camera).

In the interests of imperishable bureaucracy my submitted complaint against this 'officer' will obviously be either unread or ignored because, as we all know, on matters of officialism it is not possible to be pleasantly surprised by anything at all. However, what is clear is that, should you find yourself traveling through San Francisco International Airport, you should expect sexual abuse from the so-called 'security officers' who, we are unconvincingly warned, are acting only for our security.

Do people have minds?

Morrissey
29 July 2015



Media coverage:
 
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I'm surprised he didn't somehow tie how he's without a record deal into the diatribe... "after having my penis and testicles fondled I still find myself without a record deal. Apparently, unless you are young and have absolutely nothing to say, having your junk handled counts for nothing."
 
I'm surprised he didn't somehow tie how he's without a record deal into the diatribe... "after having my penis and testicles fondled I still find myself without a record deal. Apparently, unless you are young and have absolutely nothing to say, having your junk handled counts for nothing."

Ha, I laughed out loud at this. This is the most bizarre turn of events and I'm not sure what to make of it. As a victim of sexual assault myself, I abhor making light of rape or sexual assault, but f***ing hell, some of the comments here (and indeed the article itself) have been laugh out loud funny. I don't know who I am anymore.
 
UPDATE: A TSA spokesperson has denied any officer misconduct to Rolling Stone. "TSA takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and strives to treat every passenger with dignity and respect," Mike England says. "Upon review of closed circuit TV footage, TSA determined that the supervised officer followed standard operating procedures in the screening of this individual."

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/n...ual-assault-at-san-francisco-airport-20150730
 
Thank you a non-anon!
I get the idea of popularity algorithm abuse, but as he clearly alleged assault and hasn't taken many years to summon the courage to talk about it - it smacks of Moz waxing lyrical rather than needing any actual counselling. Again, complaining to an airport about a sex crime (whilst typing a message to Julia) is not the best way to deal with things.
I would suspect he would truly keep quiet if this was a awful as he describes.
Cheers,
FWD

Sorry, what is your understanding of sexual assault? What you are talking about is sexual ABUSE. When some authority figure grabs me by my sexual organ without my consent and possibly not even in the name of security than I consider this to be sexual assault. BUT this doesn't mean that I have to be that damaged to need years of counselling.
 
UPDATE: A TSA spokesperson has denied any officer misconduct to Rolling Stone. "TSA takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and strives to treat every passenger with dignity and respect," Mike England says. "Upon review of closed circuit TV footage, TSA determined that the supervised officer followed standard operating procedures in the screening of this individual."

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/n...ual-assault-at-san-francisco-airport-20150730

These "standard operating procedures" are exactly the problem. Oh, well ...
 
Maybe he was checking to see if Morrissey had a record deal tucked away.

:rofl: oh I be a fly on the officers hand wall. I'd bite it. Maybe the officer was doing a Brian griffin thing. "He has everything, there is only one thing left to check(grabs moz crotch) arggh come on!!!"

Update: this doll was used to pinpoint the attacked area: image.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
UPDATE: A TSA spokesperson has denied any officer misconduct to Rolling Stone. "TSA takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and strives to treat every passenger with dignity and respect," Mike England says. "Upon review of closed circuit TV footage, TSA determined that the supervised officer followed standard operating procedures in the screening of this individual."

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/n...ual-assault-at-san-francisco-airport-20150730

That is very interesting...if Moz was selected to be searched it isn't that far beyond reason that they have a specific method of covering the human body that might approach being over the line...at least in Morrissey's eyes. But there are two sides to every story and it is possible that this TSA agent has performed hundreds of these examinations in the past and might not have gone about it in the kindest, gentlest way possible. One's man's assault is another's NEXT! Sometimes we read more into occurrences than what really is there. Is it possible he was just another passenger singled out for inspection...yes. Why is that so hard to believe? This Morrissey said so...so it is true stuff..is beyond my understanding.
 
Sorry, what is your understanding of sexual assault? What you are talking about is sexual ABUSE. When some authority figure grabs me by my sexual organ without my consent and possibly not even in the name of security than I consider this to be sexual assault. BUT this doesn't mean that I have to be that damaged to need years of counselling.

Morrissey says assault which is a very ambiguous term when applied to a body search.
I see what he describes on episodes of Cops nightly - part of a search procedure includes the genitals.
If they thought he had coke in condoms in his gut, he'd of been doubly assaulted, but in reality - famous or not, it can happen to anyone.
Consent is not part of that. Much like if you refuse to take your shoes off.
Again, complaints about security procedures is nothing compared to alleging sexual 'assault' - his words - the way to deal with that is not how he went about it.

- - - Updated - - -

How silly is that? What has this to do with the discussion?
It's sarcasm aimed at casual anons who probably went through what I described.
Much like someone who finds time to pick out my comment rather than engage with the main point - equally 'silly'?
 
Morrissey says assault which is a very ambiguous term when applied to a body search.
I see what he describes on episodes of Cops nightly - part of a search procedure includes the genitals.
If they thought he had coke in condoms in his gut, he'd of been doubly assaulted, but in reality - famous or not, it can happen to anyone.
Consent is not part of that. Much like if you refuse to take your shoes off.
Again, complaints about security procedures is nothing compared to alleging sexual 'assault' - his words - the way to deal with that is not how he went about it.

You don't decide these things with your brain. It's about how it feels to you. One person might say "I don't mind, it was okay". Another one might say "I felt very embarrassed and ashamed by it." The question is whether it is really worth it just on the grounds of public safety. That it has to happen this situation you described - If they thought he had coke in condoms in his gut, he'd of been doubly assaulted, but in reality - famous or not, it can happen to anyone.
Consent is not part of that - is not the issue for me.
 
Yuck! These a-holes won't even cop to raping people! I feel violated when they go through my luggage. I can't imagine how someone would feel if their parts were groped! Yuck! I'd rather take my chances with the hijackers! I'd rather fight a hijacker with a knife in a water bottle than allow security to rape me!

QUIT VIOLATING MY HERO, YOU AIRPORT CREEPS!

UPDATE: A TSA spokesperson has denied any officer misconduct to Rolling Stone. "TSA takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and strives to treat every passenger with dignity and respect," Mike England says. "Upon review of closed circuit TV footage, TSA determined that the supervised officer followed standard operating procedures in the screening of this individual."

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/n...ual-assault-at-san-francisco-airport-20150730
 
UPDATE: A TSA spokesperson has denied any officer misconduct to Rolling Stone. "TSA takes all allegations of misconduct seriously and strives to treat every passenger with dignity and respect," Mike England says. "Upon review of closed circuit TV footage, TSA determined that the supervised officer followed standard operating procedures in the screening of this individual."

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/n...ual-assault-at-san-francisco-airport-20150730

So basically, "We investigated ourselves and cleared ourselves of wrongdoing." Got it.

They don't deny groping him the way he described. Instead they say they followed standard procedure, whatever that means. OK.
 
My first thoughts were Diana Ross moment but if he has witnesses then he has a strong case.
 
My first thoughts were Diana Ross moment but if he has witnesses then he has a strong case.

I strongly suspect that, when it comes down to it, they will stab him in the back. Just a feeling.
 
There is no level to which Moz won't stoop to get attention. After his comments comparing eating meat to pedophilia, I will never take seriously anything he says about sexual assault.
 
So basically, "We investigated ourselves and cleared ourselves of wrongdoing." Got it.

They don't deny groping him the way he described. Instead they say they followed standard procedure, whatever that means. OK.

This.
 
There is no level to which Moz won't stoop to get attention. After his comments comparing eating meat to pedophilia, I will never take seriously anything he says about sexual assault.

That's a really unhealthy attitude to take about sexual assault - where victims are often not believed. Yes, Morrissey can be ridiculous, but sexual assault allegations should always be believed and taken seriously.
 
You don't decide these things with your brain. It's about how it feels to you. One person might say "I don't mind, it was okay". Another one might say "I felt very embarrassed and ashamed by it." The question is whether it is really worth it just on the grounds of public safety. That it has to happen this situation you described - If they thought he had coke in condoms in his gut, he'd of been doubly assaulted, but in reality - famous or not, it can happen to anyone.
Consent is not part of that - is not the issue for me.
Besides the last half of your reply making little sense, but making good use of cut and paste....
How individuals interpret being frisked has nothing to do with security procedures. If you get searched by the police, chances are you will be groped - people hide all sorts there. Everyone will be searched in the same way. How individuals react is not important when considering a plane blowing up midair - remember 'murica started all this checking in the first place.
Moz doesn't say he was searched overzealously - he says he was assaulted. Not only assaulted, but sexually so - utterly ridiculous if people in an airport are being subjected to similar (not forgetting staff can see them naked on a scanner).
He didn't complain in a way fitting of such a crime - he chose to go down the popularity algorithm route instead.
Again, since 83, there have been many mismanaged incidents, but in this case - totally overreacted. Go annoy your local police and see if you can protest if they grope you for anything concealed.....
 
That's a really unhealthy attitude to take about sexual assault - where victims are often not believed. Yes, Morrissey can be ridiculous, but sexual assault allegations should always be believed and taken seriously.

I disagree. My attitude is not about sexual assault or victims in general, just Moz's use of it when it fits an agenda. I said I will never believe HIM, not the rest of the world.
 
Besides the last half of your reply making little sense, but making good use of cut and paste....
How individuals interpret being frisked has nothing to do with security procedures. If you get searched by the police, chances are you will be groped - people hide all sorts there. Everyone will be searched in the same way. How individuals react is not important when considering a plane blowing up midair - remember 'murica started all this checking in the first place.
Moz doesn't say he was searched overzealously - he says he was assaulted. Not only assaulted, but sexually so - utterly ridiculous if people in an airport are being subjected to similar (not forgetting staff can see them naked on a scanner).
He didn't complain in a way fitting of such a crime - he chose to go down the popularity algorithm route instead.
Again, since 83, there have been many mismanaged incidents, but in this case - totally overreacted. Go annoy your local police and see if you can protest if they grope you for anything concealed.....

Yes, you are being groped. I have nothing against that. But to be groped at your genitals is not "standard operating procedure" in my world (and my world is Germany, just that you know it). I am not the only one who thinks that the USA are taking their "fight" against terrorism way too far. They play with the personal freedom of people and they play with their fears.
 

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