Cindy Sheehan’s SOTU arrest: reports by MSNBC, CNN, BradBlog & HERSELF

[Nothing Without Hope]

BradBlog’s continually updated report is the best place for this story except for Cindy’s own account. Note in the CNN report that "a senior WH official" claimed that Cindy unfurled a banner, but that this was later shown to be false - nice that they included this instead of quietly burying it. The wording of the MSNBC post is generally more sympathetic, it seems to me, and there is more actual information.

If you scroll to the end of this opening post, you will get a treat: a repost of what is in my opinion the BEST of all the classic Cindy Sheehan cartoons, Oliphant’s classic showing Cindy at Georgie’s Crawford gate. Tonight it was the bully police instead of Cheney “running her off,” but Bush is still a coward who never faces the consequences of his own actions.

Of course Cindy herself can tell us what really happened – and she has posted it at dKos:

Here’s a DU thread on Cindy’s dKos post:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2430186
and a direct link to the dKos post:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/1/31944/23746#6

Here’s MSNBC’s coverage on Cindy’s arrest:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11120353

Capitol Police arrest antiwar activist Sheehan

Invited to State of the Union address, she is removed from gallery
NBC News and news services
Updated: 3:37 a.m. ET Feb. 1, 2006

Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq who reinvigorated the antiwar movement, was arrested and removed from the House gallery Tuesday night just before President Bush’s State of the Union address, a police spokeswoman said.

Sheehan, who was invited to attend the speech by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., was charged with demonstrating in the Capitol building, said Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider. The charge was later changed to unlawful conduct, Schneider said. Both charges are misdemeanors.

(snip)

The T-shirt bore the words “2,245 Dead — How Many More??” in reference to the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq, protesters told NBC News.

Police handcuffed Sheehan and removed her from the gallery before Bush arrived. Sheehan was to be released on her own recognizance, Schneider said.

(snip)

Here’s CNN’s coverage:

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/31/sheehan.arrest/index.html

Sheehan arrested in House gallery

Wednesday, February 1, 2006; Posted: 1:45 a.m. EST (06:45 GMT)



Caption: A House security officer takes Sheehan out of the chamber gallery before Bush's speech.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Peace activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested Tuesday in the House gallery after refusing to cover up a T-shirt bearing an anti-war slogan before President Bush's State of the Union address.

"She was asked to cover it up. She did not," said Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, U.S. Capitol Police spokeswoman, adding that Sheehan was arrested for unlawful conduct, a misdemeanor.

(snip – says that that the charge under which Cindy was arrested carries a maximum penalty of ONE YEAR IN JAIL.)

Schneider said shortly after the State of the Union speech that Sheehan was still being held but should be "out sometime tonight."

An early report from a senior House official indicated that Sheehan was arrested for unfurling an anti-war banner, but that was later found not to be the case. Schneider said she didn't know what Sheehan's T-shirt said.

(snip)

And here’s BRADBLOG’s coverage:

BradBlog has the full, updated coverage: blogged by Brad starting 1/31/2006 @ 5:52pm PT and ongoing:
BREAKING: CINDY SHEEHAN ARRESTED BY CAPITOL POLICE INSIDE CAPITOL CHAMBER FOR WEARING IRAQ KIA T-SHIRT!
Was to Attend State of the Union Address! Was Already Seated in Gallery When Arrested by Capitol Police!
PERMALINK: http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00002355.htm


Finally, time to repost OLIPHANT'S GREAT CINDY AT GEORGE'S GATE CARTOON, the all-time BEST cartoon on Cindy Sheehan's relationship to the WH, in my opinion. They "ran her off" from Bush's SOTU, but I believe and hope this outrage will backfire.



This post has been edited to put Cindy's own report first, as suggested.

[fooj]

1. I've been following Bradblog all evening.

You're right. The updates have been reassuring for so many of us.

Peace.

[EFerrari]

2. This whole episode has made me ill. Cindy Sheehan

is arrested for wearing a trutful t shirt and That Criminal Idiot gets applause for lying to the nation about his daily predations.

:puke:

/typo

[GrannyK]

8. I'm finding it hard to be able to take a breath. n/t

We've truly crossed the line.

[Nothing Without Hope]

10. Welcome to DU, GrannyK! Yes, I feel the same way. But this is NOT

going to be suppressed as so much else has been. This is going to backfire on the Bushies, I do believe.

[EFerrari]

19. Welcome to DU GrannyK. We have. And Feinstein,

my senator, actually laughed about this on Hardball.

[Rhiannon12866]

24. Welcome to DU, GrannyK!

It's great to have you with us!:toast:

And you're absolutely right. Bush* crossed numerous lines, tonight, even surprising me, and I've come to always expect the absolute worst from him!:grr:

[ClayZ]

25. Welcome to DU, Granny K!

:hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

23. Someone else posted about the irony of this.

Two Gold Star mothers attended the SOTU, one honored and the other led away in handcuffs. Pitiful.:grr:

BTW, did you see the family who lost their loved one in Iraq?! They practically stood there beaming, so proud, while Bush* beamed back at them, smiling, and I swear that he winked! Jesus!:eyes:

[EFerrari]

27. I can't watch THAT so I was waiting for the transcript.

But I have seen this tableau before. It's nauseating and even frightening.

[Rhiannon12866]

31. Yes, it was very frightening.

I e-mailed my friend, who was at work, giving her highlights. I told her that these people were standing there, looking like they were so proud, and their loved one was dead!:shrug:

I had to watch it. BTW, it's being repeated on C-Span, right now. We were sorely tempted to turn if off, quite a few times, but I was glad that we hung in, since we saw the Democrats stand up to Bush*!:applause:

Do you have the transcript? I have it, since I also sent it to my friend...:-)

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/01/31/sotu.transcript/index.html


Rhiannon:hi:

[EFerrari]

32. Thank you! No, I didn't have it yet!

:hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

53. You're more than welcome!

But one thing that the transcript doesn't reflect are the priceless camera shots of the Democrats, standing and cheering and clapping when Bush* tried to rebuke them for ignoring his attempts to reform Social Security, and Bush*'s obvious anger, which surfaced several times throughout his speech, when he warned Congress about playing partisan politics...:eyes::grr:

[FreedomAngel82]

40. And I betcha they don't know half of the stuff

that's going on with Iraq either with an Islamic theocracy where women can be stoned if they're caught having an affair.

[Rhiannon12866]

55. You're absolutely right.

Women had equal rights under Saddam, but stand to lose them if Iraq degenerates into an Islamic theocracy. When Bush* goes on about "freeing" the Iraqi people, he conveniently ignores this unfortunate and obvious fact.:-(

[FreedomAngel82]

39. Ugh!

But he wouldn't do a freakin thing with Cindy Sheehan. :mad: He probably knew she was going to be there and had her arrested. I can't stand it! And I wonder if the Iraqi woman was really an Iraqi woman or like the one from last year.

[Rhiannon12866]

54. The obvious fact that Bush* and his handlers keep overlooking is

that if he'd just met with Cindy Sheehan, early on, when she first asked to speak with him, he could have avoided all of this, and prevented her from becoming a national cause celebre!:eyes:

As for the Iraqi woman, I was wondering if she was the same shill who "disrupted" his Kansas speech by repeatedly and profusely thanking him for "freeing 27 million people!" After all, we never did see her on-camera...:shrug:

[democracyindanger]

3. Actually,

I'd suggest moving the dKos link to the top of your post. Given the opinions some folks around here had about proper dress for the SOTU, they'd benefit from understanding the exact circumstances that led up to the incident.

[rodeodance]

4. and was nec. to apply handcuffs!

[Nothing Without Hope]

13. Done. Thanks for the suggestion. n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

5. Police elsewhere are also bullying and abusing protestors:

Be sure to read this very chilling thread. People who are not famous can be abused and suppressed without anyone knowing about it or coming to their rescue. in this case, it was at least posted at DU and I hope that someone at the ACLU knows about it. How many other cases are silenced, the victims helpless?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2421847
thread title (1-31-06 GD-P): Clevelander brutalized and arrested for postering "Bush Step Down"

First amendment? What first Amendment?

Constitution? Another Bushie pre-emptive strike.

[Steve A Play]

6. She now has grounds to sue the Whitehouse for violating her civil rights

I'm sure there is absolutely nothing in the law which prohibits wearing apparel bearing factual statements.

As long as she was just sitting there quietly minding her own business, they had no right whatsoever to arrest her. It doesn't matter how others may have reacted to what she was wearing, if they started a disturbance, they should have been removed not her.

I hope they wind up financing her campaign against Diane Feinstein. They're already helping with the publicity! :)

Steven P. :kick:

[Nothing Without Hope]

7. Oh yes, I am hoping very hard that this is exactly what happens.

The Capitol Police did the arresting and booking, but surely they have had directives from the WH. This has just GOT to be exposed, and then we will also see how there has been an epidemic of the same thing or worse happening all over the country under this fascist regime.

[frieguy]

9. CITE- 40 USC Sec. 5104 01/19/04

CITE- 40 USC Sec. 5104 01/19/04

-EXPCITE- TITLE 40 - PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PROPERTY, AND WORKS SUBTITLE II - PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND WORKS PART B - UNITED STATES CAPITOL CHAPTER 51 - UNITED STATES CAPITOL BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

-HEAD- Sec. 5104. Unlawful activities -STATUTE- (a) Definitions. - In this section - (1) Act of physical violence. - The term "act of physical violence" means any act involving - (A) an assault or other infliction or threat of infliction of death or bodily harm on an individual; or (B) damage to, or destruction of, real or personal property.

(2) Dangerous weapon. - The term "dangerous weapon" includes - (A) all articles enumerated in section 14(a) of the Act of July 8, 1932 (ch. 465, 47 Stat. 654); and (B) a device designed to expel or hurl a projectile capable of causing injury to individuals or property, a dagger, a dirk, a stiletto, and a knife having a blade over three inches in length.

(3) Explosives. - The term "explosives" has the meaning given that term in section 841(d) of title 18. (4) Firearm. - The term "firearm" has the meaning given that term in section 921(3) of title 18. (b) Obstruction of Roads. - A person may not occupy the roads in the United States Capitol Grounds in a manner that obstructs or hinders their proper use, or use the roads in the area of the Grounds, south of Constitution Avenue and B Street and north of Independence Avenue and B Street, to convey goods or merchandise, except to or from the United States Capitol on Federal Government service.

(c) Sale of Articles, Display of Signs, and Solicitations. - A person may not carry out any of the following activities in the

Grounds: (1) offer or expose any article for sale.

(2) display a sign, placard, or other form of advertisement.

(3) solicit fares, alms, subscriptions, or contributions.

(d) Injuries to Property. - A person may not step or climb on, remove, or in any way injure any statue, seat, wall, fountain, or other erection or architectural feature, or any tree, shrub, plant, or turf, in the Grounds.

(e) Capitol Grounds and Buildings Security. - (1) Firearms, dangerous weapons, explosives, or incendiary devices. - An individual or group of individuals - (A) except as authorized by regulations prescribed by the Capitol Police Board -

(i) may not carry on or have readily accessible to any individual on the Grounds or in any of the Capitol Buildings a firearm, a dangerous weapon, explosives, or an incendiary device;

(ii) may not discharge a firearm or explosives, use a dangerous weapon, or ignite an incendiary device, on the Grounds or in any of the Capitol Buildings; or

(iii) may not transport on the Grounds or in any of the Capitol Buildings explosives or an incendiary device; or

(B) may not knowingly, with force and violence, enter or remain on the floor of either House of Congress.

(2) Violent entry and disorderly conduct. - An individual or group of individuals may not willfully and knowingly -

(A) enter or remain on the floor of either House of Congress or in any cloakroom or lobby adjacent to that floor, in the Rayburn Room of the House of Representatives, or in the Marble Room of the Senate, unless authorized to do so pursuant to rules adopted, or an authorization given, by that House;

(B) enter or remain in the gallery of either House of Congress in violation of rules governing admission to the gallery adopted by that House or pursuant to an authorization given by that House;

(C) with the intent to disrupt the orderly conduct of official business, enter or remain in a room in any of the Capitol Buildings set aside or designated for the use of either House of Congress or a Member, committee, officer, or employee of Congress or either House of Congress;

(D) utter loud, threatening, or abusive language, or engage in disorderly or disruptive conduct, at any place in the Grounds or in any of the Capitol Buildings with the intent to impede, disrupt, or disturb the orderly conduct of a session of Congress or either House of Congress, or the orderly conduct in that building of a hearing before, or any deliberations of, a committee of Congress or either House of Congress; (E) obstruct, or impede passage through or within, the Grounds or any of the Capitol Buildings;

(F) engage in an act of physical violence in the Grounds or any of the Capitol Buildings;

or (G) parade, demonstrate, or picket in any of the Capitol Buildings.

(3) Exemption of government officials. - This subsection does not prohibit any act performed in the lawful discharge of official duties by -

(A) a Member of Congress;

(B) an employee of a Member of Congress;

(C) an officer or employee of Congress or a committee of Congress; or

(D) an officer or employee of either House of Congress or a committee of that House.

(f) Parades, Assemblages, and Display of Flags. - Except as provided in section 5106 of this title, a person may not -

(1) parade, stand, or move in processions or assemblages in the Grounds;

or (2) display in the Grounds a flag, banner, or device designed or adapted to bring into public notice a party, organization, or movement.

[Nothing Without Hope]

12. I don't see that Cindy violated any of this. She wasn't advertising

and her T shirt didn't have the name of a movement or a party, just the number of Iraq dead, so far as I know. If it also had the name of an organization, then conceivably it might fall under the very last line you cite:

"or (2) display in the Grounds a flag, banner, or device designed or adapted to bring into public notice a party, organization, or movement. "

But this provision itself surely seems to me to be in violation of the First Amendment.

What's your opinion on this? And thanks for this information.

AND WELCOME TO DU!!!! Excellent first post!

[frieguy]

16. splitting hairs

"and her T shirt didn't have the name of a movement or a party, just the number of Iraq dead, so far as I know. If it also had the name of an organization, then conceivably it might fall under the very last line you cite:"

I think that might be splitting hairs, y'know.

I also don't think that this is a violation of the freedom of speech. The congress has rules that govern their day to day activities and how they act on the floor. There are also strict rules that are applied to spectators in order to ensure good order and procedure without disruption. If everyone who wanted to protest inside of the halls of congress DID, nothing would get accomplished. Besides, spectators get removed from sessions for much less, like passing gas, coughing alot, leaning over the railing, etc...

[Steve A Play]

20. If you think Cindy violated the law you posted

You sure aren't a lawyer! :)

Banning someone from sitting quietly in the gallery with a shirt on that has a factual statement and an honest question was obviously not the intent of the law you posted. By your interpretation, anyone walking through the halls with a tour group wearing a 'Got Milk?' or NIKE 'T' shirt would be subject to arrest! :rofl:

Thanks again for posting it. If your intent was to somehow get people to believe that she was in violation of that law, you're about to experience what we here refer to as some serious 'blow-back'.

You best put on some asbestos shorts while I make some popcorn!

Steven P. :kick:

[frieguy]

29. Not looking for "blow-back"....

nor am I trying to be meanspirited or dismissive. I am no lawyer, your right, but from what I can see, and what I've read of her diary, she probably won't have a case.

When I was a kid my class went to visit a session of our State Congress to learn about proceedings and the system. We were not allowed to wear shirts with print on them at all. It was suggested that we wear button up shirts with ties out of respect, if not then plain t-shirts. Two kids had to stay for a full two hours on the bus, and being in 5th grade at the time, I doubt that they wore inappropriate or protest shirts, just not plain ones.

"I wore the shirt to make a statement. The press knew I was going to be there and I thought every once in awhile they would show me and I would have the shirt on." http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/2/1/31944/23746

Ms. Sheehan would have got camera time anyhow, she didn't need to push the pram, so to speak.

[Nothing Without Hope]

45. Thanks again for posting the actual wording of the law Cindy is supposed

to have violated. I haven't seen it anywhere else, and it's something we need to know. The experts at ACLU will know better than we non-lawyers how to interpret this incident, and I'll be watching to see what they say about it.

And again, welcome to DU and thanks for your very useful post!

[WinkyDink]

52. "ensure good order"? Ah, yes, mein Herr. Alles ist ordnung.

Of course, Cindy's REAL crime was that her shirt wasn't BROWN.

[WinkyDink]

49. This provision seems to me to prevent, say,

the PLO or the IRA or some such group from carrying banners onto the nation's capital's grounds. But the wording could also be applied to the Democratic Party!

[Steve A Play]

14. Hi Frieguy! Welcome to DU!

Great first post! You'll do well around here. :hi:

It's always nice to have more people around who can find and post facts in a hurry. :)

Steven P. :kick:

[malaise]

11. Love you Cindy

Keep it up - give them hell.

[DemonGoddess]

15. Speaking of talk shows...

she should go on Oprah. Seriously.

[DanCa]

17. I missed the SOTU .Was this televised?

Or did it happen off camera. I hope Cindy is alright. Note I fell asleep early last night and missed the whole damn thing. Thanks I can't process anything right now to I have caffeine.

[Rhiannon12866]

21. No. Nothing was shown on camera, though there are pix, including here.

And it's been pretty confusing, since not much has come out about this. People have really had to dig for information. CNN announced this as breaking news while Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews were still discussing her attendance at the SOTU, on MSNBC. At one point, it was reported that she unfurled an anti-war banner, on Air America, of all places, but this was never true. She wore a shirt with the number of American Iraq war dead on it and was escorted out before the speech even started. At one point, it was reported here that she wasn't being released, but she's out now and, as I understand it, is scheduled to appear on the "Today" show. And it won't take long for you to get up to speed on this, since Cindy Sheehan threads have pretty much taken over DU, tonight, and feelings have been running pretty high, some supporting her and some believing that she was wrong to do this, no big surprise.:shrug:

Good morning and enjoy your coffee. I actually feel like making some, but I'd better get some sleep, since I have class tomorrow, LOL!:hangover:

Rhiannon:hi:

[DanCa]

22. Thank you.

Good luck on your class tomarrow :hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

30. You're welcome and thank you!

I need all the luck I can get because I meant to study, tonight, and I didn't...:blush: But it's not until later in day, fortunately...

Have a great day!:bounce:

Rhiannon:hi:

[Rhiannon12866]

18. Another great comprehensive post! Thanks so much! K&R!!!

It's been a little confusing, since info on this is posted in so many different places, so this is terrific!:yourock:

Rhiannon:hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

26. "Later found not to be the case.."

But we're glad we got that lie out there.

[Tsiyu]

28. I am sending as much light and love as I can to Cindy right now

As a mother and as an American, I declare that she has been victimized enough by our government. I hope she takes pictures of the bruises.

I hope Mike Weight (I believe that is the arresting motherfucker's name) rots in hell for treating her roughly until he realized she was not just "anybody" but Cindy Sheehan. Kinda sucks when the whole world is watching you, you fatass, abusive, prick cop!

The right wing has gone too far this time.

Remember people, they have the money but we have the numbers. Fight this with everything you have and blast the media and your representatives. The black-hearted fools just don't know the anger that is out here in the real world.

[bklyncowgirl]

33. If you take Bush and his supporters at their word, Casey died for freedom

One would think that that would include the right of his mother to wear a shirt emblazoned with the number of soldiers killed in a war in the presence of the man who started it.

[RC]

34. Excellent point!

Why is bu$h so afraid of Cindy?

[pnwmom]

35. What if we all followed Cindy's example?

What if we ALL followed Cindy's example, EVERY DAY, by prominently displaying the number of war dead (or dead/injured) somewhere on our clothing, purses, backpacks, etc. ?

We would be honoring her example and serving as a constant reminder to people around us.

[LizW]

36. But George gets to decide who gets the freedoms

I wonder what would have happened if it had been a gold star mother invited by Bill Frist or Orin Hatch?

What if a Republican gold star mother had on a shirt with, say, a photograph of her dead son?

Would she have been taken away?

A mention of the dead soldiers in Iraq is not a protest per se, George Stephanopolis does it every single week on his Sunday morning show on ABC, and no one calls him a "protester".

But Cindy was obviously targeted because of her political views. Look at the pictures and the faces of the men showing her to her seat. They know exactly who she is. They are ready. She didn't even get her arm out of the sleeve before they took her out.

What Cindy did was far less "disruptive" than the Republicans holding up their purple dipped fingers at last year's SOTU. Remember they held their fingers in the air after Bush was on the podium. Apparently "demonstrations" are just fine as long as they are done by Republicans and they support Bush.

I look forward to the lawsuit being filed. This is not America. This is not freedom.

[FreedomAngel82]

37. Did they know she was going to be there?

Did she have to have a ticket or anything like that? And if so does the Bush administration know who gets tickets? Or are they spying on her and following her around or Congressional people she has met with such as this rep from California? It's very telling to me how they said she had a banner when it turned out to be false. They were purposley doing this. :mad: They have no freakin shame. And last night on Mike Malloy's show he read the rules of the House and NO WHERE were t-shirts mentioned. She was unjustifiable arrested. I hope she gets the ACLU on the case.

[FreedomAngel82]

38. Something else I'm wondering

If the "media" is "fighting over her" so much why don't they do something to help her? Or are they just going to slam her like Bill O'Reilly and Hannity does? And does anybody know if she had a banner at all?

[pnwmom]

41. According to Cindy's own statement,

she unfurled no banner and she did no protesting. All she did was wear a shirt that said 2245 dead, how many more?

[Nothing Without Hope]

43. Welcome to DU, pnwmom!!

Good to have you with us, even in such difficult times! :hi:

[pnwmom]

44. thank you, Nothing Without Hope!

Couldn't stand lurking any more . . . ;)

[Nothing Without Hope]

42. No, she did not have a banner. The CNN story mentions that a "senior WH

official" made this claim, but that it was "later found not to be the case." (Can't say "it's not true," I suppose, because that's uncomfortably close to "the WH lied about this.")

[INdemo]

46. deleted

[INdemo]

47. Watch Out

That bumper sticker on your car that reads "Impeach Bush" will get you arrested. Please tell me what is the difference.

[WinkyDink]

48. But this has happened MANY other times, where Bush spoke.

People with tickets being forcibly ejected solely because of what they wore.

And I don't recall their winning any lawsuits.

[Nothing Without Hope]

50. ***PHOTO at BradBlog of the threatening T-SHIRT that got Cindy arrested:

The BradBlog page on this incident is still the best place for news and updates, which Brad continues to post:
http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00002355.htm

[Nothing Without Hope]

51. Here's a DU thread posted by Brad (of BradBlog) on Cindy's T-shirt:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x290998

[Nothing Without Hope]

56. ***Keith Olbermann will report on ejection of Sheehan & Young from SOTU

tonight:

From the daily Countdown email today:

Cindy Sheehan, mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq, wasn't the only one ejected from the House gallery during the State of the Union address for wearing a T-shirt with a war-related slogan that violated the rules. The wife of a powerful Republican congressman was also asked to leave. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11120353

The MSNBC story on Cindy Sheehan's removal from the SOTU has been updated to include the removal (was she also arrested and roughed up?) of the Florida Congressman's wife, Beverly Young. More information has also been added about Cindy's experience and plans.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11120353

Capitol Police arrest antiwar activist Sheehan

Republican congressman’s wife also removed for ‘Support the Troops’ shirt
NBC News and news services
Updated: 11:20 a.m. ET Feb. 1, 2006

(snip)

Beverly Young, wife of Rep. C.W. Bill Young of Florida — chairman of the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee — was removed from the gallery because she was wearing a T-shirt that read, “Support the Troops — Defending Our Freedom.”

“Because she had on a shirt that someone didn’t like that said support our troops, she was kicked out of this gallery,” Young said on the House floor Wednesday morning, holding up the gray shirt. “Shame, shame,” he scolded.

(snip)

They told her {i.e., the police told Mrs. Young as they ejected her from the SOTU} she was being treated the same as Sheehan, a protester ejected before the speech Tuesday night for wearing a T-shirt with an antiwar slogan. Sheehan wrote in her blog Wednesday that she intends to file a First Amendment lawsuit.

(snip)

Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider said police warned her that such displays were not allowed in the House chamber, but Sheehan did not respond.

(snip)

The MSNBC article goes on to quote extensively from "Cindy Sheehan's blog," including her statement that refutes what the Capitol police claim about her refusal to cover the T-shirt:

(snip)

In her blog, Sheehan wrote that her T-shirt said, “2245 Dead. How many more?” — a reference to the number of soldiers killed in Iraq.

She said she felt uncomfortable about attending the speech.

“I knew George Bush would say things that would hurt me and anger me and I knew that I couldn’t disrupt the address because Lynn had given me the ticket,” Sheehan wrote. “I didn’t want to be disruptive out of respect for her.”

She said she had one arm out of her coat when an officer yelled, “Protestor.”

“He then ran over to me, hauled me out of my seat and roughly (with my hands behind my back) shoved me up the stairs,” she wrote. She was then cuffed and driven to police headquarters a few blocks away.

“I was never told that I couldn’t wear that shirt into the Congress,” Sheehan wrote. “I was never asked to take it off or zip my jacket back up. If I had been asked to do any of those things...I would have, and written about the suppression of my freedom of speech later.”

(snip)

I want to know if that GOP Congressman's wife was roughed up and handcuffed the same way Cindy Sheehan was. After all, they claim she broke the same law.

[Nothing Without Hope]

57. ***An eyewitness account confirms Cindy's account, which is also in the

MSNBC article now.

For the updated MSNBC account, which now also reports the GOP congressman's wife's removal from the SOTU, see the previous post in this thread (Reply # 56). It quotes extensively from "Cindy Sheehan's blog."

For the eyewitness account, see this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x293434
thread title (2-1-06 GD): Eye witness account from someone I know and trust followed by Cindy's

[Nothing Without Hope]

58. ***UPDATE: charges against Cindy DROPPED - police claim it was a MISTAKE:

The same MSNBC story linked to the opening post has been evolving ever since I posted it last night. In its latest incarnation, we hear that charges against Cindy Sheehan are to be dropped and that they were a "mistake" in the first place. We also have the satisfaction of seeing MSNBC putting the claim of the Capitol Police - that Cindy resisted their orders - next to what Cindy says, which is the opposite.

Here's an excerpt of the latest version of the MSNBC article on Cindy's SOTU arrest - keep watching the update time at this page and check back later to see if it continues to be updated.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11120353

NBC: Charges against Sheehan to be dropped

Antiwar mom removed from State of the Union for wearing protest shirt
NBC News and news services
Updated: 5:42 p.m. ET Feb. 1, 2006

(snip)

U.S. Capitol Police took Sheehan away in handcuffs and charged her with unlawful conduct, a misdemeanor, when she showed up to President Bush’s address Tuesday night wearing a shirt that read, “2245 Dead. How many more?” — a reference to the number of soldiers killed in Iraq.

But Capitol Police will ask the U.S. attorney's office to drop the charges, NBC News’ Mike Viqueira reported Wednesday.

“We screwed up,” a top Capitol Police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

He said Sheehan didn't violate any rules or laws.

(snip - much more)

OOOOOOOOOH! I'm wondering if this is related to the fact that the important GOP congressman husband of the OTHER removed SOTU attendee, who was wearing a shirt that SUPPORTED the Iraq war, was so loudly pissed about his wife being removed by the police. Cindy was bruised by the rough handling of the police, but I bet the Congressman's wife wasn't.

I hope she sues their asses off and that they get right to the fascist directive that these police were given. In an earlier post, Cindy says that she plans to sue.

[Nothing Without Hope]

59. ***Another DU thread reports from Cindy - "what really happened"

She cites lies by the police and distortion by the press.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x292127
thread title (2-1-06 GD): Message From Cindy Sheehan / What Really Happened

Note that the latest version of the MSNBC report - see the previous post in the current thread - cites Cindy's version of events in a way that seems to show support for it. Of course, the fact that the police admit that they made a "mistake" didn't help any case against her.