U.S. government to pay $80,000 settlement to pair arrested for wearing anti-Bush T-shirts

[struggle4progress]

The Associated Press
Published: August 16, 2007

CHARLESTON, West Virginia: A couple arrested at a rally after refusing to cover T-shirts that bore anti-President George W. Bush slogans settled their lawsuit against the federal government for $80,000 .. the American Civil Liberties Union announced.

Nicole and Jeffery Rank of Corpus Christi, Texas, were handcuffed and removed from the July 4, 2004, rally at the state Capitol, where Bush gave a speech. A judge dismissed trespassing charges against them, and an order closing the case was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Charleston ...

The front of the Ranks' homemade T-shirts bore the international symbol for "no" superimposed over the word "Bush." The back of Nicole Rank's T-shirt said "Love America, Hate Bush." On the back of Jeffery Rank's T-shirt was the message "Regime Change Starts at Home."

The ACLU said in a statement that a presidential advance manual makes it clear that the government tries to exclude dissenters from the president's appearances. "As a last resort," the manual says, "security should remove the demonstrators from the event."

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/17/america/NA-GEN-US-Bush-Protesters-Lawsuit.php

[Liberal In Texas]

1. Good.

Our right to assemble and protest is in the waste bin these days.

Sue the bastards.

[rodeodance]

2. so,,,,,the 'government' pays for Bushco supid conduct!!

[EST]

7. Yeah, that's what got me.

Bug brained boogers piss all over constitutional rights and everybody else has to take up a collection to cure the problem--collecting from people who didn't create the infraction!"

I certainly don't begrudge these folks their rightly assigned damages, but the real culprits need to be whacked with legal action not only to repay damages, but to recompense the expenses of all the responsible adults involved.

[MadMaddie]

3. There is still some justice in the world...

[L. Coyote]

4. USG also pays $6 million per confirmed dead Iraqi civilian.

Such is the cost of going to war, Mr. Bush!

[babylonsister]

8. I know you don't believe that. More like $2,500, but what's a mom to

do when 5 of her kids die? Or she does?


http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/12/africa/ME-GEN-Iraq-Double-Tragedy.php

[L. Coyote]

11. I do believe it. USG spent about $1 million per Indian conquering America.

Do the math! Half a trillion spent in Iraq. How many confirmed civilian deaths?

[NotGivingUp]

5. So we, the taxpayers, get to pay. If there were any justice, it would come out of bush's pocket.

[babylonsister]

6. Over 3 years ago; I love the Ranks for stickin' it! And the ACLU!!! nt

[Stephanie]

9. Hey, I could use $80,000!

Couldn't you? Hmmm...

[Downtown Hound]

10. You smell that?

It smells like.....justice.

[aquart]

12. Not till it comes out of Georgie's pocket.

[progressoid]

13. Well, that's a victory for us. Sort of. eom

[lonestarnot]

14. Heh Heh Heh