More 1st Amendment under fire

[chelidon]

If this story is as Cindy Sheehan reported, it's yet another example of suppression of an individual solely because those in power don't like what's being said. I'm sure there were witnesses, I suspect that truth of what actually happened will come out. It's interesting to me, however, that early news bulletins I read of the event misreported that Sheehan had some sort of banner she had opened in the gallery, when apparently all she did was open her jacket to show a shirt underneath. The former could legitimately be considered disruptive, the latter is just plain silly. Is there a dress code in the gallery? Apparently so -- no clothing with a statement which could be interpreted as critical to the President is allowed. Shameful.

[EDIT: to be fair, this story came out later today, indicating that another attendee, a congresscritter's wife no less, wearing a pro-war shirt, was also ejected. I still don't like it, but my degree of ire is significantly lessened by the appearance that it was at least even-handed, and not motivated by politics]

[EDIT2: an apology was given to Sheehan, and the congresscritter's wife. I note that the Chief of Police apologized to Sen. Young's wife in person, but did not do so for Sheehan. Rank has its privileges.]

Comments

[christeos-pir.livejournal.com]

The report I saw said that she was ordered to turn her t-shirt inside out or cover it because it had an anti-war message. When she refused, she was cuffed and arrested. But hey, we're not a police state!

[chelidon.livejournal.com]

No, of course not. 'scuse, have to go, someone's knocking down the door...