Facebook Support Surges for Woman Who Allegedly Groped TSA Officer

July 19, 2011 — -- The Colorado woman who allegedly grabbed a female Transportation Security Administration agent's breast before "squeezing and twisting" it at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Ariz., has become an overnight hero for many frustrated travelers.

Five Facebook pages dedicated to Yukari Miyamae have already been created, four of them offering her support. Some have dramatically dubbed her the "21st century Rosa Parks" and are using her story as an outlet to vent frustrations about the TSA.

A page called "Acquit Yukari Mihamae," despite its unfortunate misspelling of her name, already has already garnered more 2,000 supporters.

"It's time these TSA agents get a taste of their own medicine," wrote Tammany Fields. "I am proud of you for standing on principles and for personal space and dignity."

Another Facebook page, the "Yukari Miyamae Legal Defense Fund" Facebook page, is currently setting up an account and website where supporters can donate money to Miyamae's defense.

Miyamae, a 61-year-old translator who travels between Boulder, Colo., and Phoenix for her work, was flying home to Boulder last week when police say she refused to go through the TSA screening and argued with officers before allegedly groping the agent.

She was arrested on felony sexual assault charges and taken to jail. Police say she admitted to grabbing the agent. Miyamae spent the night at Maricopa County jail, and was released from custody on Friday.

"She sincerely appreciates the support," Judd Golden, the Boulder lawyer representing Miyamae, said of the Facebook followers.

"She was violated by all this and has been traumatized," Judd said, adding that Miyamae is concerned that the situation has been "trivialized" by the breast-grab and looks forward to the chance to tell her full story.

But not everyone is glorifying Miyamae's alleged protest. The Facebook page "Convict Yukari Mihamae" has just 13 supporters, but they are vocal about their disapproval.

"If you do not want to be searched don't fly," Tom Pajewski wrote on the page. "TSA is doing their job…The woman was out of line and needs to be prosecuted."

Some negative comments are even appearing on the pages meant to show support. "Sexual assault is NOT a means of protest. If you don't like the law, you work to change it!" a user named Chris Morris wrote on the "Legal Defense Fund" page.

For its part the TSA doesn't seem to share the sentiments of Miyamae's many supporters.

"TSA officers work every day to protect the traveling public, and the agency will not tolerate assaults against its workforce," said a TSA spokesman, according to ABC News affiliate KNXV-TV in Phoenix.

Judd did not wish to comment yet about whether his client regrets her alleged action, but said she is amazed by all of the attention the incident has garnered.

"She's surprised by all this, but she is a strong woman," Judd said. "She feels the way the TSA treated her and others is not dignified."