TSA Detains Man While Cops Threaten Arrest for Taping in JFK Airport

Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:01am by Buck Sexton
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Mark Lyons entered JFK terminal 4 to determine whether they were using airport body scanners, but when TSA agents saw him filming, it quickly turned into a two-hour-long standoff with assault allegations and threats of arrest.

According to Pixiq, Lyons’s confrontation with the TSA began when an officer saw him filming near the baggage check-in area, and the officer told him he was not allowed to film. When Lyons refused to comply, the officer allegedly tried to slap the cellphone out of Lyons’s hand.

At this point, a swarm of TSA officers came over, one of whom tried again to forcibly take the phone away, says Lyons on Flyertalk. Once the TSA agents had gathered around him, a Port Authority Police supervisor walked up to Lyons. The police officer requested several times that Lyons delete the video.

When Lyons demanded to see TSA regulations in writing that state he could not film in any part of the terminal, the police officer suggested that the only place Lyons would see the regulations in writing was back at the police station, under arrest.

A long discussion ensued between Lyons, the police officer, and various TSA agents about regulations regarding filming, and in the end, Lyons agreed to delete the videos rather than be arrested (even though TSA regulations don’t prohibit filming). During that time, the officers ran various background checks on him, and refused to let him leave the premises until the videos were gone.

But as you can see for yourself below, Lyons was able to retrieve some of the video (the rest of them can be found at pixiq.com):

It seems the airport’s contention is that the building is private property and that the building prohibits such filming.

This incident follows one at a Houston airport recently, where a woman was threatened to be placed on the no-fly list if she didn’t delete a picture she took of an airport employee. United Airlines confirmed such a move is an option.

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Comments (146)

Jack2011
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:22am
TSA

Testicular Safety Administration
Thousands Standing Around
Theft Seize Administration
Thug Security Administration
Total Socialist A&&holes
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- Jack2011
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:27am
  They Steal Anything
  Report Post »
- Shellback
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:38am
  Terminally Stupid Agency
  Report Post »
- JMorcan
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:51am
  Thugs and bullies.
  Report Post »
- minuteman912
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 9:30am
  Say it as it is ‘communist B#$$S&*T. It’s only about to get worse
  Report Post »
- jkendal
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 9:48am
  @Jack2011: I think you’re last one is most appropriate.
  Report Post »
- Fateo
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 10:44am
  Tray Stacking Agency
  Report Post »
- rangerdon
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 11:51am
  I am retired Law Enforcement, and it sckens me every time I have to fly to think that I was ever remotely associated with these “so called” professionals known as TSA. I remember taking an oath to uphold the constitution which I believe still contains a reference to unreasonible search and seizures and that these rights shall not be infringed.
  Report Post »
- banjarmon
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:45pm
  I tried many years ago to get a job with the TSA…I was over qualified and the wrong color!
  Report Post »
- jzs
  Posted on August 10, 2011 at 3:00pm
  Maybe it hasn’t occurred to anyone, but taking video in a airport is going to be considered “casing the joint.” If someone was walking around filming your house, you might get a little creeped out too, although that’s perfectly legal.
  Report Post »
- SpeckChaser
  Posted on August 10, 2011 at 5:58pm
  @JZS
  
  JZS said “The car wreck analogy is silly and irrelevant. I can’t even say those analogies are “simplistic.” They’re irrelevant, they’re absurd…”
  
  I thought using Obama’s analogy of bush wrecking the car was relevant, guess not. Let me simplify that “democratic rhetorical analogy.” Bush put the economy on life support. Obama said he was the only person who could fix it. 2-1/2 years later we’re still on life support. I will ask again, even though Debbie Wassermann Schultz already said “We own the economy”, how many years will it be before the blame shifts to Obama?
  
  Then JZS said “taking video in an airport is going to be considered “casing the joint.” If someone was walking around filming your house, you might get a little creeped out too”
  
  I’m going to go out on a limb and saying if I tried to make a “simple” comparison between filming on public property vs. filming on private I would hear “You can compare world politics to a game of Parcheesi if you’d like, and maybe you some less informed people think that’s valid, but it’s not. They sound nice to your, but have no bearing on the real world.” Or the classic “your comparing apples to oranges.
  
  Then JZS said “And then say I’m not sophisticated enough to understand your deep thought. “
  
  I didn’t say that. I simply asked if you could give ANY example where spending 40% more than you take in is sustainable. As of now you still haven’t.
  Report Post »
- SpeckChaser
  Posted on August 10, 2011 at 6:55pm
  @JZS
  
  JZS said, “The deficit at least doubled under Reagan (who raised taxes to try to get that under control)”
  
  The first error is once again is that the deficit has something to do with tax rates. Let’s say you get 1B in taxes and spend 1.5B. Then you double taxes to covering cost. You then take in 2B but spend 3B. Regardless of if you think cut/raises increase revenue, unsustainable spending is simple unsustainable. I would still like to know if you found ANY example where spending 40% more than you take in could be sustainable. Assuming you know about automatic spending increases to the baseline, let’s say you raise the riches tax rate “high enough” to cover the deficit. What happens in the new fiscal year when automatically spending raises 8%? Are the rich all of a sudden not paying their fair share?
  
  The second incorrect statement is that Reagan raised taxes. Tax rates are as follow. 81’ was 70%, 82-86 was 50%, 87 was 38.5%, and 88-89 was 28%
  http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html
  Report Post »
- SpeckChaser
  Posted on August 10, 2011 at 7:25pm
  @JZS
  
  A link for the previous post, According to the CBO our problem is spending, NOT TAXES.
  
  http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2007/01/~/media/Images/Reports/2007/bg2001/chart3_lg.ashx
  
  JZS said, “Cutting taxes does what it’s designed to do: it makes rich people richer. “And it always has increased the deficit.”
  
  Now JZS, you just made that out of thin air. That statement is not true according to the CBO. In 2000, at a higher tax rate, the top 20 % of wage-earners paid 81.2 % of all revenue collected. In 2004, after tax cuts, they paid 85.3% I have asked before with no response, but I’ll ask again. If those paying the highest tax rate/biggest portion of bill aren’t paying their fair share; what does that make everyone who is paying less than them? Here’s a graph for you:
  
  http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2007/01/~/media/Images/Reports/bg2001/bg2001chart6_lg.ashx
  
  After looking at historic data I learned I was wrong when stated lowering tax rates increases revenue. Revenue is closely tied to GDP, and not tax rates. Even Obama has made creating jobs his #1 priority on several different occasions. Seeing that GDP represents the economy, I will ask this question again. How will raising taxes on business owners spur economic growth and increase jobs? How will taking money out of the economy (taxes), make the economy grow?
  Report Post »
- jzs
  Posted on August 10, 2011 at 10:09pm
  SPECKCHASER, this thread has nothing to do with taxes. Seems like you’re chasing me around trying to get the last word in. I’ll indulge you this time, but this is ridiculous.
  
  As Reagan said, “There you go again.” First you told me that, “6 or so years of Bush’s presidency had record setting economic growth.” That’s patently false, invented out of thin air as you like to say. Now you say, “Bush put the economy on life support.” That’s a switch. As I recall the budget was balanced when Bush came into office and the economy was doing quite well. You’re backtracking. Keep going. And you can search conserative websites like the Heritage Foundation all you want but one fact will remain clear: Bush dramatically cut taxes, twice, and the economy didn’t improve, nor did the jobless rate. The only thing that increased was the deficit and make rich people richer.
  
  As far as the topic of this thread, I don’t know exactly what happened. But the good guys are looking for the bad guys, and when someone is taking video of airport security, the good guys notice, just as they do when people are taking photos of nuclear plants. You think the Israelis, whose expertise is touted on this website, allow people to video airport security? Sorry Speck, this isn’t a good place to plant your flag.
  
  I have a few more words. Sorry, don‘t know what you’re reading, but Reagan did raise taxes. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20030729-503544.html
  Report Post »
- SpeckChaser
  Posted on August 11, 2011 at 6:38pm
  @JZS
  
  You said, “…Seems like you’re chasing me” Are a speck? If your upset I respond to statements directed at me, find somewhere else to spend your time.
  
  You said “There you go again…First you told me…That’s a switch” No switch. Showing the liberal argument of blame bush does not change the fact that Obama is the wrong man for the job, as agreed with by your party.
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-politics/8692054/Democrats-doubt-Barack-Obamas-reelection-chances.html
  
  You said, “As I recall the budget was balanced…” Finally, something we agree on. Balance that thing already.
  
  You said “Bush came into office and the economy was doing quite well” Bush was handed a recession after the stock market bubble. Remember Enron?
  
  I said “6 or so years of Bush’s presidency had record setting economic growth” I WAS WRONG, YOU WERE RIGHT, congratulations! I was referring to the 52 months of straight job growth which, I believe, is the second longest in history and happened to end when the democrats took back the house
  
  I averaged unemployment for Clinton and Bush with info from http://www.bls.gov/cps/prev_yrs.htm and found Clintons average was 5.63 and Bushes was 5.26. To my knowledge the Bureau of Labor Statistics is credible, but there is the chance they are equally as incorrect as you claim the CBO is.
  
  You said “…Reagan did raise taxes” RIGHT AGAIN, I assumed you were talking about Income tax rates and we all know wha
  Report Post »
southernORcobra
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:19am
gestapo hard at work
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- Servant Of YHVH
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 2:37pm
  Yep, I would charge them with kidnapping since they held him against his will until he came up with the kidnapping fee (delete the film). Put them ALL in prison, I bet that their groping skills will come in handy there.
  Report Post »
TwoLazy
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:13am
Perhaps the TSA is the charter “National Civilian Defense Force” that Obummer talked about? Can‘t get a job at mickyD’s .. then become a TSA agent, no experience necessary or desired.

Have you had enough yet?
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Jack2011
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:13am
Someone posted instructions on how to program a cell phone to IMMEDIATELY download to the Internet anything that is being filmed.

Can someone post the instructions again?
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:12am
The TSA needs to be done away with; more and more with each passing day the arrogance and sheer contempt they have for the American people is growing out of control. There will be only a matter of time before they once again strike out at someone with deadly force; or someone will feel their life and safety is threatened and protect themselves.

I have recently been once again confronted, this time by a small group of six of them, off duty TSA agents who know I have no love for the TSA, away from any place they have authority over. These sex were making gestures of hands formed into guns and pretended shootings while one moved his hands onto a taser he was carrying saying “Oh look guys the white boy is making threats against us, guess we have to rough him up some…”

It is due to an incident earlier this month that I once again do have a carry conceal permit reinstated; and explained to them I have one, and that “Yes, I am carrying at this time…”

They did back down; it is only a matter of time now before somewhere one of the They Steal Anything thugs crosses the line; I now consider the organization a legitimate threat, and when I did file a complaint yet again with the police the next day I was told the matter was dropped “due to a call from the Fed’s on the matter”.
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- jblovesAmerica
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 10:01am
  the service is needed and required with Radical Muslims looking to kill us.
  however-retired FBI/US Marshals/Secret Service/State and local Law enforcement folks are much better equipped for the job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Report Post »
UBETHECHANGE
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:12am
This is what a police state looks like. Abolish the TSA! Privatize it.
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- jb.kibs
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 9:19am
  not allowed to “look”… hmmm interesting.
  Report Post »
- Omnivore
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 5:05pm
  How about privatizing all aspects of transportation, as in; get the government’s sticky fingers completely out of it– 100%? That we’re even having to talk about this is an outrage. This was supposed to be a free country. Remember?
  Report Post »
Living In NYC
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:02am
Give these TSA boobs some power and look what happens! What happen to free press…the TSA can scan our bodies why can’t we film them “at work”?

Is the TSA doing something illegal or are they hiding something…they have their cameras to film us and so do most police cars…citizens should have the same right to film in a public place!
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- Non-regulator
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:08am
  If “journalists” won’t do worthy coverage, someone has to.
  Report Post »
- euragone
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:12am
  TSA = Waffen SS wanna be’s
  Report Post »
- loriann12
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 10:06am
  Even journalists are being harrassed for filming police. I guess they and TSA don’t want any proof around that there are bad eggs int he departments.
  Report Post »
- Mathew Manhorne
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 10:36am
  @ EURAGONE.. The Waffen SS were combat troops and rarely used for security. The SD (Sicherheitsdienst) which was the intelligence and security body. This is who the TSA would be the equivalent of. If your going to make historical comparisons that would be the appropriate one …..
  Report Post »
- GardenoftheGods
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 11:33am
  WHAT COUNTRY IS THIS? I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING IN AMERICA…THANK YOU PRESIDENT BUSH & OBAMA…YOU’VE TURNED US INTO NAZI GERMANY. Shame on you all.
  Report Post »
DizzyBlueBaby
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:01am
These thugs feel they have unbridled power because the TSA administration backs them up no matter what violations and abuses they perpetrate on the traveling public. Until the administrators are made to be held accountable, nothing will ever change. And making the feds accountable for anything is a joke.
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ZAP
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:00am
The way to solve this is DON`T FLY
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- Av8tor056
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:21am
  I agree, if as many as 25% of the current flying public would just stop flying and let it be known that it’s because of the TSA and airline employees acting like arrogant a$$es what do you think the result would be?
  Report Post »
- Shellback
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:34am
  Bullcrap, they win, you loose.
  Report Post »
- loriann12
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 10:08am
  If enough people don’t fly, airports will be forced to deal with WHY they don’t fly. I don’t usually like to say never, but unless it’s an absolute emergency, I won’t fly. And if I do have to fly, you can bet your sweet bippy I’m going to film. I’m a breast cancer survivor and if they ask to see my prosthetic, I’ll make an announcement very loudly that people with small children may want to look away, because I’ll whip that thing out of my bra in public! They aren’t getting me in a private room where they could possibly molest me even further. I been that route and ain’t going there again.
  Report Post »
- cjhunter
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 1:47pm
  If we “refuse to fly”, then they’ve effectively, and without a shot being fired, removed our right to travel freely.
  Anyone out there still suffering from white guilt? Get out in 2012 and VOTE THESE ANIMALS OUT OF OFFICE!!!! That is, if we’re still fortunate enough to have a free election by then.
  Report Post »
Daryn J. Moran
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:00am
Mindless Obots//NewsFlash: Americans are not the terrorists.

200 people should go in at once and start FILMING

TEA
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- Countrygirl1362
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 10:47am
  But “the building prohibits such filming.” TSA takes orders from a building? Talk about idiots. Never had a building talk to me or give me instrustions…….. Need to check to make sure they are taking their medicine.
  Report Post »
- lemmings4obama
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 12:38pm
  Yes, flash mob filming. :) Good idea.
  Report Post »
- rcw_68
  Posted on August 10, 2011 at 2:36am
  This is a great idea. If we don’t start fighting back now, it will be too late. This is going to turn into the “round ‘em up” campains of Woodrow Wilson.
  Report Post »
varnell99
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:59am
Does anyone remember Obuma saying that (paraphased) “we should have a civilian military as powerful and as strong as the regular military”. Welcome to Obuma civilian military. They answer to his second in command Napeolatino.

try to access: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt2yGzHf7s
my first time linking so you may have to copy and paste
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- JLGunner
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 3:36pm
  As a matter of fact he revisited that idea not to long ago. We must defend our second amendment rights to the end.
  Report Post »
mwhaley
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:56am
TSA, They Steal Anything
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- Jack2011
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:20am
  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/07/tsa-worker-stole-watches-debit-cards-from-lax-luggage-officials-say.html
  You got that right
  Report Post »
RugDog
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:47am
Release ALL TSA personal information. Addresses, names, etc. Let this problem solve itself.
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- franko58
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 11:18am
  If they don’t release info themselves, WELL, there are people out there who knows how to hack “REAL GOOD”, just ask the goverment who has been hacked, PLEASE HACKERS ,HACK INTO THESE NAZI LIKE ILLITERATE APES , known as the TSA. It’s funny how 90% of these “people” were on welfare and food stamps, now they“re going to get the ”WHITE MAN”, with their new found false authority !!!! HACK EM, HACKEM, HACK EM, NOW, RIGHT NOW.
  Report Post »
- crapgame
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 5:07pm
  Just read up on how to tail a vehicle in traffic, or in any other situation. Every work place operates in shifts, and has assigned parking areas for employees. Identify Your target, become familiar with thier patterns, and use these to Your advantage if You wish to take action. Dont fight the enemies fight on his terms, fight Your fight on Your terms, at the place, and time of Your choosing.
  Report Post »
cassandra
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:43am
these TRA workers are acting more and more like natzis, typical union thugs, if they have nothing to hide whats the problem
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technoid
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:42am
There is a simple answere to all this. DON’T FLY! EVERYONE! DON’T FLY UNTIL THIS PERSONAL VIOLATION OF OUR BODIES STOP! This is America. Not NAZI Germany. You would see how fast they would change the practice.
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b0mbtrack1
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:42am
This is why I don’t fly, these people have too much power. I feel bad for people who have to fly.
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LICENSEDTOCARRY
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:27am
He should realize the security check points of airports are sensitive areas. If you are told you to stop recording put the damn phone away. End of story. Don’t act like some DB with a chip on your shoulder and ask for trouble.
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- Perspective
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:43am
  Licensed to carry? Lord man you might as well give your weapons up now. The man broke no rules or laws. You would have him just lie down and let the TSA make up rules as they go along. Yeah it’s very sensitive when they sexually assault little children or terminally ill Grandmothers while young men of middle eastern descent pass freely.You seem to be cursed with cranial-rectal inversion.
  Report Post »
- bread and circuses
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:52am
  paraphrased:
  
  Those who are willing to give up their freedoms for security will have neither. — Ben Franklin
  Report Post »
- steve-o-con
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:56am
  Strongly disagree! Unless you want the TSA to become a defacto police force (beyond what they’ve already become) then you should know your rights and exercise them. Don’t be bullied by people without authority into complying to their rules for no reason.
  Report Post »
- patriotone
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 8:45am
  Stopping filming and leaving the premises is one thing. Forcing him to delete the videos is an entirely different type of fascist control. Personally, I would have kept filming, possibly forwarded the videos to someone I trusted and let them arrest me.
  Report Post »
- LICENSEDTOCARRY
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 9:48am
  I fly 6 – 8 times a year and I don‘t hassle them because I don’t want to miss my flight, connections etc. I despise their storm trooper antics as much as you, but I there is no sense antagonizing them. Arguing with a cop is always a losing argument and he deleted the video (most of it) in the end anyway. For what?
  Report Post »
- cabnetdude
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 6:04pm
  Why not just let the filthy Nazi just ask for your papers? Maybe shred the Constitution in your face! End of story!
  Report Post »
Perspective
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:27am
Once again the TSA Nazis violate a citizens rights with NO LAW to back them up. All this is part of a larger plot to keep people from freely traveling across the country. It’s so much harder to round people up or come for their guns if they can move around freely. Remember, even walking is a form of transportation, so don’t be surprised when the TSA comes knocking on your door.
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ZAP
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:25am
What a waste of tax payers money!
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- smithclar3nc3
  Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:42am
  This is a publicly subsidized public airport just like every other public airport in the country ifr that’s the line theu wish to take I say all funding and tax subsidities be taken away from the airlines. All public security be removed from their terminals and the airlines assume 1000% accoutability for anything that happens. IF THEY WANT NAZI GERMANY IN THE TERMINALS THEY DON’T GET TAX DOLLARS FOR ANY PART OF THEIR OPERATIONS.
  Report Post »
GUT_CHECK
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:24am
darn, they never allow atrocities to be taped.
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streetrodder
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:24am
I will never fly!
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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:18am
.
How much is to much? Go stop a real crime. Oh I forgot they put the cowards and perverts at the airport…………….
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poverty.sucks
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:18am
When do we find the acceptance of Middle Eastern men between the ages of 16-25 filming TSA situations? I would hope TSA will have zero tolorance in regards to video.
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Ironmaan
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:12am
Bye, bye liberty.

Vere are your papers? Show me your papers!
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smithclar3nc3
Posted on August 9, 2011 at 7:05am
Welcome to JFK terminal or as I call it NAZI GERMANY…….
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