Reuters has an update regarding Cindy Sheehan's removal:

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N31179046.htm

<snip>

A Reuters photographer said Sheehan entered the House gallery a few minutes before Bush was to speak and was directed to her seat. She had been seated for less than a minute when a plainclothes agent took her by the arm, said, "You've got to leave," and rushed her from the gallery.


Sheehan did not resist and left with a smile.

Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider had no immediate details on why Sheehan was removed.

Hmm....

[tridim]

1. Wonder what the real story is..

What are we up to now, about 4 different versions?

I'm waiting for the "She pulled a box cutter on the authorities" story.

[sabra]

2. me thinks, the Reuters version is prolly close to the truth

no shirt
no banner

just BushCo scared of Sheehan

[Penndems]

3. From The Washington Post:

Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at Capitol

By Clarence Williams and Allan Lengel
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, January 31, 2006; 10:19 PM

Activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested last night after demonstrating inside the House of Representatives gallery as part of a larger antiwar protest that was held outside the Capitol.

Sheehan, who was apparently given a gallery ticket by a member of Congress, began demonstrating about 45 minutes to an hour before the State of the Union speech.

She opened her jacket to reveal a T-shirt that, according to a supporter, gave the number of U.S. war dead and asked, "How many more?"

She was also boisterous, according to U.S. Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer, and after she ignored instructions to close her jacket and quiet down, she was escorted out and arrested. Demonstrating in the House gallery is prohibited.

More here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/31/AR2006013101521.html

[tridim]

6. Ohhhh... OK, she was "boisterous"

Arrest that lady!

Fucking pigs.

[NYC Liberal]

7. THE PICTURES SHOW SHE CLOSED HER JACKET!!

[sabra]

10. exactly, this pics align with the Reuters version

[hootinholler]

27. Reuters updated their story...

Pertinent paragraph from the story:
Schneider said Sheehan was arrested because she was wearing a T-shirt with an anti-war slogan and refused to cover it up. She said the unlawful conduct charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

Schneider is a Capitol Ploice Sgt. that has issued a public statment in direct conflict with that photo. What's the penalty for that? Oh, yeah, a Freedom Medal.

-Hoot

[chookie]

28. Gee, there may not have even been a sign

Her very presence -- HER THOUGHTS and opinions -- were what caused her to be evicted/arrested.

[TriMetFan]

44. can we say "1984"

[demigoddess]

106. they did not want the cameras on her face while bush tried to say how

wonderfully it is going in Iraq. They did not want the whole country to see how she missed her son and disagreed with bush's lies. Ps. we MUST be polite at all times to the pRes.

[ishtar66]

35. How many version are there?

I don't see the shirt with the reference to the number of troops killed in Iraq.

Is wearing a shirt a crime? Isn't this supposed to be the seat of American democracy?

It looks like George Bush and his handlers are deathly afraid of this woman. All they want is a 'managed' environment.


..from a concerned Canuck.

[SPKrazy]

9. Pics in another thread don't show the T-Shirt

but I guess they knew she had one on

that doesn't mean that she would have opened her shirt up

or maybe she would have

either way, she got noticed and publicity

Whether that is good for her I don't know

[fooj]

16. Here's the pictures I was talking about.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x287495

This is bullshit. Pure and Simple.

peace.

[TexasLawyer]

33. An "anti-war slogan on her shirt"???

Even if it was uncovered, Cindy's shirt merely had a number on it-- just a fact, not a slogan.

[ClintonTyree]

39. A statistic.......

she was arrested for displaying a statistic. Nothing "shouted", no "banner", no "being boisterous"........a statistic. If she were wearing a shirt with a statistic that was favorable to bush (although I can't think of any, not one) would that statistic have been unlawful as well?
Our "president" is a coward, a fucking coward and I'd tell him that right to his stupid monkey face.

[fooj]

14. That's a bunch of bullshit.

Activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested last night after demonstrating inside the House of Representatives gallery as part of a larger antiwar protest that was held outside the Capitol.

I'll be back in a few with pictures that prove that is an out and out lie!

peace.

[Pirate Smile]

24. That is sure as hell not what the photo's looked like!

[deminks]

4. Yes, no mention of banner or t-shirt.

Seated for less than a minute. Some thug recognized her and told the goons to remove her. Wait for the spin later today and tomorrow. It will be interesting. Thank you for posting this.

[GalleryGod]

5. "Tell CJ to go with Reuters story"

[Lars39]

8. Sounds more like they seated her before they realized

who she was, then hustled her out of there when they realized she was *that* Cindy.

[AngryOldDem]

68. No, it was widely publicized late Tuesday afternoon...

...that she was the guest of a congresswoman (name escapes me right now). My theory is that they knew full well what she was wearing and waited until she was seated to remove her in order to create the biggest spectacle they could.

Whatever the reason, it's bullshit. The shirt was not offensive, and she was well within her freedom of speech to wear it. Unless, of course, freedom of speech does not apply to the Capitol.

Just when I think I've seen it all, it turns out that I haven't.

[ellenfl]

11. can't wait to hear cindy's version! eom

[sabra]

12. indeed.

peace :-)

[mvd]

13. Wouldn't be surprised if this was the truth

The REPUKES get unpatriotic whenever the death total is mentioned.

[CoffeeCat]

15. The pictures jive with the Reuters story...

...and totally contradict the "spin" story planted in the Washington Post.

I'm sorry to say the F word, but what the fuck is up with the Washington Post?

The story coming out of the Post is exactly the kind of lies and spin that Rove would
want repeated over and over and over, until the truth no longer matters. That's their
modus operandi.

Why in the hell is the Post so willing to shill for these classless thugs?

[dusty64]

18. I'm afraid you

answered your own question.

[fooj]

19. Unfrickingbelievable, isn't it? It's a complete lie.

peace.

[sabra]

21. Since Reuters is the source of the pics, this seems to be

a true witness to the story.... I guess they didn't get the Rove fax?

[fishwax]

23. that's the WP for you

they're good at spinning lies ...

[Pirate Smile]

25. We need to contact the Washington Post now.

[Cleita]

17. So when will we know that the beheading took place? n/t

[lisby]

38. Exactly what I was thinking...

I wonder if she was treated all right? Wait--she's still in custody, right?



Lisby

:scared:

[Kurovski]

20. Self-delete.

I've been up all night and I'm making less sense than usual.

[Hissyspit]

22. kick

[AngryAmish]

26. She will lead us -- and we will CRUSH them!!!

[rambler1277]

113. you sound like a happy person

or not

[seabeyond]

29. no tshirt no banner. another tshirt. another she was undoing a

banner. wazzzzz up

[MCMetal]

30. Why was she removed ?

I suppose they didn't want Chimpy to be interrupted from all the bullshit he was spewing during his sorry-ass State of the Union addy ....Our president cuckoo bananas is a friggin' embarrassment

[Blue_In_AK]

31. Please see this thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x290678

[obxhead]

32. CNN reported shortly before the speech that

"she had a banner and was unrolling it when agents came to arrest her"

Funny that I have not seen ONE SINGLE PICTURE of this when DOZENS of cameras are covering every possible angle of this most important event.

[MirrorAshes]

36. I saw that too.

I guess they were either making it up or just went with the first unsubstantiated response they got.

[mattclearing]

55. That's the problem with th e24-hour news cycle...more interested in

getting it first than getting it right. Clowns.

[Scooter24]

34. I think they were saving Bush from embarrassment

[Divernan]

45. Note all the remaining empty seats in gallery-this was not a "few minutes"

before the SOTU address, as the Reuters story states. This looks more like the 45 minutes or so, which the WaPo story states. I wish to hell Ms. Sheehan had waited until after Bush had started his speech before she unbuttoned her jacket to show her shirt's message! You would have seen hundreds of cameras recording the event,including whatever the capitol police did in response.

[foreverdem]

50. It was very hot in the chamber

According to AAR, it was very hot in the chamber, and Cindy unbuttoned her jacket. Also, according to the report I heard, one of the guards saw her shirt, said "protester", she was approached and escorted out. I wish I had a link to this, but it was the report I heard on AAR this morning, not something that I read.

[GrannyK]

37. I think Cindy just might need to decide to run against DiFi.

The time just may have come. Enough is enough.

[Binka]

42. I'll Come Back To Cally & Help Her Run

I'm a registered voter in the state of CA and my son is stationed at 29 Palms CA. I have the time and the money and I would spend both of them to help Cindy beat DiFi. I worked on Woolsey's campaign and let me tell you it was grass roots. Lynne once worked as a secretary for an old flames Dad. These people are loaded and I am sure they would be willing to back Cindy as well.

Lets DO IT!

[Tsiyu]

40. So wait a minute

We have a nation founded on the rights of every human to exercise freedom of expression, of speech, and a woman goes to one of the official buildings of that nation's government, expressing her thoughts on a T-shirt, and she is ARRESTED?


That's like going to church and being arrested for wearing a cross.

Or going to the grocery store and being arrested for having bananas in your cart.

Or going to the library and ending up charged with the crime of having a book in your hands.

Or going to school and getting arrested for taking a test.

This is bizzaro world, more and more every day.

And Alito was only confirmed this morning...the Fascists certainly waste no time, do they?

[Loge23]

54. Great post!

It's incredible isn't it?
We are witnessing the destruction of our freedom.
We're next.

[PegDAC]

61. That's all, Folks!

It's TEOTWAWKI and I DON'T feel fine!
:puke:

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tavalon]

73. You're new here so you probably don't know

that we expect you to provide links. Unsubstantiated stuff doesn't go over so well here.

Links, my friend.

[Tsiyu]

112. Thank you.

I am not afraid. I am angry.

Enough was enough quite some time ago.

WE the People must take back our nation. And it's gonna get ugly, I fear.

[Luke Nichols]

41. Cindy Rocks!

"Hi. I'm George. George Gump. I sux at Foreign Policy. I really believe our Domestic Situation is good. Blah blah blah! I'll let the cat out of the bag; With Roberts, Alito, and a few closet Conservatives on the bench, we going to change roe v. wade. Did you hear that joke? Someone asked me, what is my stance on roe v. wade. I told them: Look! I don't care how the Black People get out of New Orleans. Anyway. Imma gonna give you themes. Blah blah blah. There can be no substitute for Victory. Sorry for my spelling. I got a 2nd grade education. I can cypher up to my fours. Even Jethro is smarter than me! Oh, we got to adhere to ethical standards man. I would never lie, cheat, or steal, using my Office for Profiteering, at the expense of our Solders. You shouldnt either Congress. hehe I had my fingers crossed! lol Also, we got to get rid of our dependence on foreign oil. But not til after Dick and I make a trillion on this Iraq war. Man, this has been SWEET from the very first day! Man, my bank account grows faster than my nose! Hey! What the hell is that woman doing here! Get Cindy out of here! Gawd, we can't have her ilk in here. This is my finest hour. Dang. I need a beer. or a tequila shooter. Yeah. That would be excellento. Hey, after the speech, someone call Vicente and tell him to send me up some of that good Sammy Hagar Cabo Wabo. No. Gawd. If it goes through Customs it will take forever to get here. Use the Tunnels man! Use the Tunnels. Speaking of Tunnels, I can touch my tongue to the tip of my nose. No other President could do that! Except Teddy Roosevelt. Oh. Did you hear? I'm going to compare myself to Abraham Lincoln. Dammit! I am Lincoln! Without me, you guys are crap. I am the social glue that holds this democratenzie together. No. That's a lie. No. America is not a Republic. NO! It is not! NO NO NO NO NO! I want let it be! I wonder how Tommy Thompson is doing over at Applied Digital Solutions Inc.? I hope they hurry up and start chipping people. That way those Cindy Sheehan types cannot get into this rostrum. hehe Took me 2 months to learn that word. Anyway, I'm here to tell you, the State of our Union is good. Don't believe me, ask Sean Hannity. He know. May God bless my bank account!"

[liberal N proud]

43. Welcome to AMERIKA

Where Bu$h is king and dissent is not tolerated

[rambler1277]

114. speaking of dissent not being tolerated ...

What happened to the post regarding House rules regarding t-shirts with slogans? I knew that guy was going to get kicked the moment I read his post. Did he say something untrue?

If you read this, check back in a couple of hours to see if it's still here. My guess is the moderator will have deleted it (and probably my account too). Can we not have a legitimate discussion?

I know I'm new to the group but my goodness, is this place about discussion or just mutual agreement?

[Liberal Librarian]

46. Cindy's Side

Cindy has posted her experience on Michael Moore's website. Not surprising at all that the media did a James Frey number on the episode.

[Name removed]

47. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FearofFutility]

51. But she was ARRESTED after she was escorted out.

Does this not bother you?

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dorian Gray]

81. Indeed.

It would be one thing if she actually did anything once she was in there. But, she was just sitting, wearing her t-shirt. Where is the demonstration or the "free speech" in that? She didn't do or say anything. She didn't hold up any placards, either.

(And I saw your earlier post re: the person being evicted during the Clinton Impeachment Hearings. I remember when that happened, and that was also a travesty. As long as one is solely wearing a t-shirt and not disrupting anything, I believe that they should be allowed to remain. Same goes for the Republican woman who was ejected wearing a "Support the Troops" t-shirt. Why was she ejected? But, here's another question: Why was she ejected, but Cindy ARRESTED? There's something not right there.)

[truth2power]

84. "she HID the shirt"..interesting choice of words.

When I wear a suit, I generally button the jacket. I don't think I would be accused of "hiding" something.

And regarding your previous post - Like you, I'm not a big fan of Dubya. Actually, I'm not a small fan of Dubya, either. Just sayin'.

[ekelly]

90. Was the republican congressman's wife

arrested as well?

You claimed that this other woman was escorted out of the chamber for wearing a pro bush shirt.

Well, didn't SHE also know she was violating the statute? Was SHE also arrested?
(still waiting for that link)

[txindy]

94. No violation of any statute. Try reading.

"Believing that the Capitol Police needed guidance in determining what behavior constitutes a demonstration,” the United States Capitol Police Board issued a regulation that interprets “demonstration activity” to include: parading, picketing, speechmaking, holding vigils, sit-ins, or other expressive conduct that conveys a message supporting or opposing a point of view or has the intent, effect or propensity to attract a crowd of onlookers, but does not include merely wearing Tee shirts, buttons or other similar articles of apparel that convey a message.”

http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/97-1337c.pdf

[mark11727]

108. What would have happened if Cindy's shirt "said" NOTHING...

...and ONLY had a photo of CASEY on it...?

...or for that matter, a BABY picture CASEY...?

The mind boggles.

[txindy]

109. That would've been very interesting, indeed.

I think they intended to remove her, no matter what, but I would've loved to hear the justification for a removal based on the wearing of a shirt with her son's photo on it.

[WinkyDink]

102. Don't be stupid. Every item of clothing now has something on it.

How about the Nike "swish"? Is that allowed? "Tommy Hilfiger"? "I LOVE the President"? THE FLAG?

Whom are you trying to kid?

[Bridget Burke]

56. Well, I haven't been to the House Visitors' Gallery.

If I had the chance, I'd surely like to know the rules before the visit. Surely, those rules are available on a government website?

Gosh, we love folks whose very first post is an instruction for "you people" to calm down.

[ComerPerro]

48. Left with a smile. I can understand why

She didn't have to listen to that pompous jackass anymore.

[Reader Rabbit]

49. Golden Opportunity?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but does this little incident open up both Bush and Congress to a little ACLU lawsuit? Everyone contact them to get that ball rolling ASAP!

[Name removed]

53. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bridget Burke]

58. Asking again...

Where can a visitor to DC find the rules before they visit Congress?

[Reader Rabbit]

59. Um...Troll much? n/t

[FearofFutility]

62. I'm having a hard time finding the rules

Can you please provide a link?

[tavalon]

74. Sorry

This one is long on wind and not so willing to provide links.

[FearofFutility]

79. Apparently n/t

[TBreeze]

72. .

"I was never told that I couldn't wear that shirt into the Congress. 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. I was immediately, and roughly (I have the bruises and muscle spasms to prove it) hauled off and arrested for "unlawful conduct."

http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=594

[truth2power]

93. You really think Cindy normally appears "dumb"??

How interesting! Where did you say you were from, again?

I think Cindy has been extraordinarily articulate, given the asshats she's had to deal with in the past year or so. I'd say she's not nearly as dumb as our Preznit in Chief.



Here - I took this off of someone's sig line here at DU:

"Hard work is seeing your son's murder on CNN one Sunday evening while you're enjoying the last supper you'll every truly enjoy again. Hard work is having three military officers come to your house a few hours later to confirm the aforementioned murder of your son, your first-born, your kind and gently sweet baby. Hard work is burying your child 46 days before his 25th birthday. Hard work is holding your other three children as they lower the body of their big brother into the ground. Hard work is not jumping in the grave with him and having the earth cover you both."

-- Cindy Sheehan, mother of fallen soldier in Iraq taking Bush to task for saying it's "hard work" comforting the widow of a soldier who's been killed in Iraq.

Pretty articulate, if you ask me.

edit> To add last line.

[txindy]

96. No rules were broken by Cindy. Try to name one that was.

Waiting....

[FearofFutility]

52. I'm watching CNN (I know)

and to my amazement, Miles O'Brien appeared to be disturbed by the fact that she was removed and arrested. He said something to the effect that "This is the people's house and free speech should be allowed" and "She was arrested for wearing a t-shirt in the United States of America!" Those aren't exact quotes, but are the gist of what he said.

[peaches2003]

57. Lie on Faux News

Kay Bailey Hutchinson is live on Faux News' Fox and Friends this very minute (8:18 AM) and just said that

"Cindy Sheehan threw a banner over the side of the balcony. If she had just been sitting in her seat she certainly could have stayed there and not been removed".

Slander? I hope that Cindy will demand a trial so that the truth will get out there and people like KBH be asked for an apology.

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[QuettaKid]

65. by "this chick" you mean KBH?

yeah, you're right. I totally agree. Cindy Sheehan on the other hand, a TRUE AMERICAN HERO.

[FearofFutility]

66. FR is missing its idiot! On second thought....

I doubt they even noticed since there are so many of you there.

[AngryOldDem]

67. Enjoy your stay here

'Cause it ain't gonna last long.

[Reader Rabbit]

69. Ladies & Gentlemen, please don't feed the troll. n/t

[FearofFutility]

70. Sorry. Couldn't help myself.

[tavalon]

75. Yeah, Kay Bailey is an asshat clown

[txindy]

87. Don't be so hard on yourself.

:rofl:

[goodhue]

64. Cindy rocks!

[Name removed]

76. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FearofFutility]

78. Again

Link? And was the wife of a Republican Congressman arrested? I read about the 1999 incident, and if you read it, you would know that the man was NOT ARRESTED.

[Name removed]

82. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FearofFutility]

85. I guess you don't know how to provide links so I did it for you

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

She was arrested. Please read.

[Name removed]

104. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[txindy]

105. One more time: State the rule Cindy violated.

Because wearing a t-shirt does not count as a protest, according to the law and the Capitol police. So, no, she couldn't be legally removed for failing to cover a shirt she was allowed to wear.

"Believing that the Capitol Police needed guidance in determining what behavior constitutes a demonstration,” the United States Capitol Police Board issued a regulation that interprets “demonstration activity” to include: parading, picketing, speechmaking, holding vigils, sit-ins, or other expressive conduct that conveys a message supporting or opposing a point of view or has the intent, effect or propensity to attract a crowd of onlookers, but does not include merely wearing Tee shirts, buttons or other similar articles of apparel that convey a message.”

http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/97-1337c.pdf

[Dorian Gray]

83. No, she was ejected, but not arrested.

(The wife of the Republican Congressman.)

If they had only ejected Sheehan, I'm sure there would have been a lot of frustration. But, as it happened last night, there was unequal treatment.

[txindy]

99. The only source for that 1999 'story' is Sludge

And freeptard republikkk, if you count that as a source of anything other than manure.

That 1999 incident appears to be pure fantasy. I'm not buying the repuke congressman's wife's story, either, not without pictures from last night and independent confirmation. They documented Cindy's removal, they would've documented that other woman's as well - had it actually happened.

[FearofFutility]

101. I'm not buying it either.

[WearyOne2]

77. gutless pathetic cowards..big blokes strongarming a woman

[Mister K]

80. Cindy's Side of the story.....

http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=594

[Name removed]

86. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sabra]

88. "you guys" ?

and where do you fall in this picture?

[Lars39]

95. Slippin' thru the cracks.

It's hard to keep the granite tidy. :)

[FearofFutility]

91. Come on, admit it. You know you want to.

Being arrested for wearing a t-shirt, not simply being removed, is outrageous. Where will it stop? I believe you are the one the needs to move along.

[txindy]

92. Try learning the rules

T-shirts are allowed and are NOT considered a protest.

"Believing that the Capitol Police needed guidance in determining what behavior constitutes a demonstration,” the United States Capitol Police Board issued a regulation that interprets “demonstration activity” to include: parading, picketing, speechmaking, holding vigils, sit-ins, or other expressive conduct that conveys a message supporting or opposing a point of view or has the intent, effect or propensity to attract a crowd of onlookers, but does not include merely wearing Tee shirts, buttons or other similar articles of apparel that convey a message.”

http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/97-1337c.pdf

[FearofFutility]

97. Thank you!

[Caoimhe]

103. Out! Freeptard OUT!

[Lloyd Braun]

89. Bastards!

[Protagoras]

98. At least we can dispense with the illusion of free speech

or open government now. It's dead. Our despot will not tolerate any questioning. None. Nada. Zip. Zilch.

We'll throw the mother of a dead soldier in jail rather than let her sit quietly in front of the Chimp-in-Chief with a goddamn NUMBER on her shirt.

Numbers are dangerous.

Dissent is apparently even more dangerous.

[emald]

100. Amerrikka the great

guess freedom no longer applies to ones clothing. Yes we live in a fascist state. The party of opposition isn't. Great leader is an empty headed tyrant. Praise god for amerikkka. Jesus for sale. Jesus for sale. Ohhhhhh, what a proud bunch we are.

[yostsghost]

107. T-shirts Bad...Purple Fingers Good???

"You are either for us or against us"

[LiberalinNC]

110. That is such f'in bullshit - she was arrested for a t-shirt

[rd_kent]

111. I am ashamed of my country!!!!

We will see more of this every day. I am ashamed.

I am ashamed the government has taken out freedoms. I am ashamed that the repugs are so arrogant that that they felt thay could take them. But I am most ashamed that my party has stood by and allowed it to happen.