The Unyielding Stand: A Personal Journey of Opting Out

By Matthew Hayward

In the face of growing governmental overreach and the erosion of personal liberties, there are those who choose to stand firm, refusing to compromise their principles. I am one of those individuals. Despite the passage of time and the pressure of conformity, I have chosen to maintain my stand against invasive security measures at airports, specifically the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) body scanners. But my stand extends beyond the airport security lines. It reaches into the heart of our society, where the battle for our freedoms is being waged daily.

The Early Days of Opt-Out Protests

When the TSA first introduced body scanners, there was a significant public outcry. Privacy concerns, health risks, questions about effectiveness, and legal issues led to widespread protests. One of the most notable was "National Opt-Out Day," which called for a day of protest against the scanners on the busiest travel day of the year.

The early days of the opt-out protests were marked by a spirit of defiance and creativity. Some protesters chose to make a statement by stripping down to their underwear or wearing kilts with no underwear, making the point that the scanners would reveal their nudity. Others wore metallic pasties or underwear with the Fourth Amendment printed in metallic ink, which would show up on the scanners and make a statement about the right to privacy.

A Personal Stand: The Olympia Capital Rally

My stand against governmental overreach is not limited to airport security lines. It extends to every area of life where our freedoms are being threatened. One such instance was during the COVID-19 lockdowns when I helped organize a rally at the Olympia Capital.

I was asked to take down my pop-up tent because I did not have a permit. When I asked if they were issuing permits, they said, "No." I explained that my understanding of first amendment permits is that they are a "shall" issue, not a "may" issue. The purpose of the permits is to protect people's first amendment rights so that if someone is planning to hold an event, someone else cannot show up and occupy the space.

Despite the pressure from the Department of Enterprise Services and the State Patrol, I refused to move the pop-up tent. I told one of the officers that I understood he was only doing his job and did not want to be put in this position. I then asked if he would ever have the courage to refuse an order that was not constitutional, or in other words, an order that directly violated someone's rights? His response was understandable and telling, "I am going to be retiring in two years."

In the end, after a show of force surrounded me, they left, and I gave my speech. As I posted on my social media later that day, "Today, the point I proved is that sometimes the difference between freedom and oppression is your willingness to stand your ground. Talk is cheap. At the end of the day, action is what counts. You haven't lost any freedom until you have been prevented by force from exercising it."

The Fading Resistance and the Unyielding Stand

Over time, however, the fervor of these protests has faded. Many of those who once stood against the invasive measures have given in, choosing the path of least resistance. The same pattern can be seen in the response to COVID-19 measures. Initial resistance to mask mandates and vaccines largely gave way to acceptance and compliance.

Sargent Brooks traveling out of DIA July 2023

Yet, there are those of us who refuse to yield. We understand that the preservation of our freedoms often comes at the cost of convenience. We are willing to endure the slower, more invasive pat-downs at airports, the soon-to-be inconvenience of not having a Real ID or National ID card, and even the possibility of not being able to fly. Our principles are not swayed by the passage of time or the pressure of conformity.

The Cost of Conviction

This unyielding stand comes with its costs. I have been subjected to invasive pat-downs, endured delays, was almost put on the no-fly list while traveling for my anniversary, and faced the disapproval of those who do not understand my stand. Yet, I remain undeterred. I am reminded of the words of Martin Luther King Jr., "He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it."

Conclusion: The Power of Unyielding Conviction

I stand firm in my conviction, refusing to passively accept measures that infringe upon our personal liberties. I am reminded of the words of Thomas Jefferson, "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." I choose to stand like a rock, unwavering in my principles, even if I stand alone. For it is in the unyielding stand of individuals that the flame of freedom is kept alive.