Deborah Davis was riding the bus to work in Denver, Colorado, this past September, when security guards boarded the bus and requested identification from the passengers. When Ms. Davis refused, she was arrested by federal police, charged with federal criminal misdemeanors, and told that she had to show identification to the police whenever it was requested, “even if it was in a Wal-mart.”

What’s the catch? The bus Ms. Davis rode to work daily crossed through the Denver Federal Center, where a collection of low-security government administration buildings (such as the Veteran’s Administration) is located. The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado has taken her case and will represent her, along with a private firm, at her arraignment on December 9th; her supporters have created a website championing her cause as an example of the federal government’s infringement of civil rights following 9/11.

Ms. Davis no longer commutes to work via the bus she was arrested on, but her case is eerily reminiscent of bus searches and privileged seating in our nation’s not-so-distant past. December 9th is merely the arraignment in what will no doubt be a long and drawn-out judicial process, but the eventual outcome of Ms. Davis’ case will reflect the extent to which the judiciary will check the federal government’s power.

llouison