November 27, 2013 (Washington, DC) – To national acclaim, the Sikh Coalition and a coalition of national civil rights organizations released FlyRights 2.0 yesterday. FlyRights 2.0 is an enhanced version of a mobile phone application that allows users to file complaints of TSA screening discrimination in real time.
Click here to see pictures of yesterday's press release.
Click here to watch the press conference.
As the holiday travel season approaches, the Sikh Coalition urges Sikh travelers to understand their rights and download FlyRights 2.0. The app is free and available for both Apple and Android phones.
New Features
FlyRights 2.0 users may now copy their Member of Congress when they file a complaint of TSA screening discrimination. FlyRights 2.0 also contains a new “crowd-sourced” map that allows users to compare the number of complaints for each airport in America. Finally, FlyRights 2.0 contains an updated Know Your Rights section, including information about special screening procedures for TSA Pre✓™ Program members.
National Acclaim
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the nation’s preeminent civil rights coalition, hosted yesterday’s launch. The NAACP, ACLU, South Asian Americans Leading Together, and Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund also participated in the launch. Our partners are encouraging their communities to download the app and submit complaints of TSA screening discrimination.
The release also received important national press coverage from USA Today, LA Times, CNBC and the Huffington Post, among several other media outlets.
United States Senator Ben Cardin, Congresswoman Judy Chu, and Congressman John Mica submitted statements of support for FlyRights. Click here for Statements of Support from Members of Congress and Civil Rights Leaders.
Your Filed Reports Are Making a Difference
While the Department of Homeland Security reported that it received only 8 complaints of improper TSA screening or discrimination during 2012, FlyRights users filed 157 complaints, an almost 20 fold difference.
Your reports of discrimination through FlyRights are a critical means of holding the TSA accountable. The Sikh Coalition urges the community to download FlyRights 2.0 during this holiday season and file complaints of discrimination when appropriate.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges Sikhs everywhere to practice their faith fearlessly.