Interview with the F-train's 4th Amendment Vigilante

"Ladies and Gentleman, I'm tryina raise money... not for no team - this for me: to keep me off the streets and outta trouble; if you care to donate, all I got left are Starburss and M&M peanut." 

When the radio silence of your F-train commute is broken by a sudden vocal outburst, the chances are you're in for a proposition like the one above. 

There is a possibility, however, that the voice you hear will instead belong to this man: he's not asking for contributions, looking to sell DVDs, or screaming about how his life was changed by Jesus.   

He's the F-Train's 4th Amendment Vigilante, and he just wants to make sure that New Yorkers know their rights. 

Ever since the 7/7 attacks in London, the NYPD has maintained a random search  campaign, consisting mainly of the tables that unpredictably appear outside the turnstiles of selected subway stations. Of course this is New York and not Israel, so profiling takes a different twist: it's not uncommon to see middle-easterners walking by un-hassled, while attractive white women are randomly selected to bring their purses and Barney's bags to the officers at the Search Tables. 

But the F-train Vigilante is not as concerned with this component of the campaign - his focus is on the in-car announcements that take place during his morning commute: 

"Ladies and Gentleman, this is a reminder that your personal belongings are subject to search by the New York City Police Department..." 

It's this announcement which causes the 4th amendment vigilante to stand up and address his fellow passengers in a loud and steady voice: 

"Ladies and Gentleman, the announcement you have just heard is misleading: No, the fourth Amendment to the United States constitution has not been repealed- If the NYPD wants to search your property without relying on probable cause and they do not have a warrant, then they have to get your consent, and you can say no."     

Only a lunatic would yell about the government to a subway car full of strangers - but this guy's message is so concise, so informative - why doesn't the 4th Amendment Vigilante seem crazy?  

What makes someone literally stand up for what they believe in, especially in the face of severe social stigma?  

I had to find out - and he was kind enough to let me film our discussion. The entire interview is here, but for those of you who are like me, and have no attention span, here's what I consider to be the most revealing bit: 

This is the real Epic Beard Man: the 4th Amendment Vigilante is an F-Train hero.

Benjamin joined us today for a blast from the past remix, but you can now read all his shit here on Street Carnage.