A few Saturdays ago, I was taken into the MTA
Police Station at Penn Station by a trooper who
thought that I was a terrorist. I was doing a
research project on the LIRR & Metro-North on
Saturday. I was taking a picture of an M-1 train
from the front car of an M-1 train to NYC and was
questioned by a NY State Trooper. I was also
using some track maps I downloaded and printed
from the internet as part of the research
project. I was just taking a picture for my
project on the MTA NYC Subway, LIRR &
Metro-North.
The trooper then brought me to the MTA Police at
Penn Station, saying that "We have to make sure
that you are not a threat, since you have all
this information." I WAS NOT HANDCUFFED, BUT I
WAS SEARCHED. THE COPS TREATED ME NICELY AND DID
NOT EVEN LAY A HAND ON ME IN THE OFFICE. I WAS
RELEASED 3 HOURS LATER AFTER THEY SPOKE TO MY
FATHER. You can reach Sgt. Howell at
(212)878-1000 and he'll tell you which trooper
pulled me over on the LIRR train.
The police ended up calling my parents. They even
sent troopers to my house and took down my whole
family's information and my parents think that I
am a criminal and terrorist. My parents are so
upset and said "IF SOMETHING HAPPENS ON AT PENN
STATION, THEY CAN COME AND LOOK FOR YOU AT OUR
HOUSE!!!!!!"
I was cleared, but I feel like my civil rights
and my constitutional amendments were VIOLATED.
My parents told me NOT to sue to or even speak to
a lawyer, otherwise they’ll end up charging me a
fortune. I CANNOT afford a lawyer and DO NOT want
to end up paying back everything if I loose a
lawsuit in civil court. I am currently on
Medicaid because of my low income.
If someone needs to call me, please tell them NOT
to call my work # except from 2pm to 3pm, since
that is my lunch hour and my boss DOES NOT want
me to receive any personal calls when I am
working. Please RSVP as soon as possible by
e-mail or writing.
Thank you very much for your time and cooperation
and have a wonderful day.
James S. Li
qcdmc2000@yahoo.com
(718)441-2758