Posted on 02/01/2006 6:06:11 PM PST by Nachum
Less than 24 hours after anti-Bush peace activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested for "unlawful conduct" at last night's State of the Union address, the charge is being dropped and federal officials are apologizing.
"The officers made a good faith, but mistaken effort to enforce an old unwritten interpretation of the prohibitions about demonstrating in the Capitol. The policy and procedures were too vague," said Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer. "The failure to adequately prepare the officers is mine."
Sheehan was taken into custody shortly after unzipping her jacket, revealing her T-shirt, which had the message, "2245 Dead. How many more?"
In addition, Beverly Young, the wife of U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R- Fla., was also ejected from the House gallery for wearing a shirt that read, "Support the Troops Defending Our Freedom."
According to a release from Capitol Police this evening, "it was determined that while officers acted in a manner consistent with the rules of decorum enforced by the department in the House gallery for years, neither Mrs. Sheehan's manner of dress or initial conduct warranted law enforcement intervention. The USCP also asked Mrs. Beverly Young, to leave the gallery because of a T-shirt she was wearing. Mrs. Young did not return to the Gallery so there was no need for further police action. Neither guest should have been confronted about the expressive T-shirts."
As WND is reporting, Sheehan says she intends to sue over her arrest.
"I am so upset and sore it is hard to think straight," Sheehan writes in her online diary. "I have some lawyers looking into filing a First Amendment lawsuit against the government for what happened tonight. I will file it. It is time to take our freedoms and our country back. I don't want to live in a country that prohibits any person, whether he/she has paid the ultimate price for that country, from wearing, saying, writing, or telephoning any negative statements about the government. That's why I am going to take my freedoms and liberties back. That's why I am not going to let Bushco take anything else away from me ... or you."
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United States Capitol Police Chief Terrance W. Gainer
Public Information Office
119 D Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20510 Immediate
(202) 224-1677
Accountability
February 1, 2006 The United States Capitol Police will request that the U.S. Attorneys Office not pursue the charge against Cindy Lee Sheehan who was arrested Tuesday Night before the Presidents State of the Union address.
Mrs. Sheehan was charged Tuesday night with Unlawful Conduct after she displayed a T-shirt with an anti-war message while in the House Gallery. Subsequently she was arrested and transported to USCP Headquarters for processing.
As the Department reviewed the incident, it was determined that while officers acted in a manner consistent with the rules of decorum enforced by the Department in the House Gallery for years, neither Mrs. Sheehans manner of dress or initial conduct warranted law enforcement intervention. The USCP also asked Mrs. Beverly Young, to leave the gallery because of a T-shirt she was wearing. Mrs. Young did not return to the Gallery so there was no need for further police action. Neither guest should have been confronted about the expressive T-shirts.
"The officers made a good faith, but mistaken effort to enforce an old unwritten interpretation of the prohibitions about demonstrating in the Capitol. The policy and procedures were too vague," said Chief Terrance W. Gainer. "The failure to adequately prepare the officers is mine."
Chief Gainer met with Chairman Young and his wife to both apologize and share the Departments plans for avoiding this in the future. A similar message has been left with Mrs. Sheehan.
The Department will work with the House Sergeant at Arms to clarify the rules of the House, and ensure that officers clearly understand the rules.
If you have any questions or concerns pertaining to this release please contact the United States Capitol Police Public Information Office at 202-224-1677.
* * * * * *
Prepared by:
Sergeant Kimberly Schneider
United States Capitol Police
Public Information Officer
The truth is this idiot wanted to be arrested. If they hadn't arrested her she would have tossed some tomatoes or rotten eggs at our President to make sure she was. She's a publicity whore and whoever apologized to her is insane!
In brainy Liberal Land it's perfectly appropriate to invite someone to the SOTU if they've just returned from visiting a South American dictator and joined in the seditious condemnation of a democratic president during a time of war.
That's "normal," see? And? It's even more appropriate for said "activist" to bring the Stalinist agitprop into the Senate chamber itself!
That's "normal" to the ideological fanatics and traitorous vermin on the Left.
Anybody know if someone can bring on a lawsuit once all charges have been dropped? I'm thinking...no.
"I am so upset and sore it is hard to think straight," Sheehan writes in her online diary.
Is this an entry from her "My Romantic Nights with Hugo" diary? |
As part of her tirade at the end she states, "I don't want to live in a country that prohibits any person, whether he/she has paid the ultimate price for that country, from wearing, saying, writing, or telephoning any negative statements about the government."
Just like everytime I hear her open her mouth, she makes little sense. If her son who "paid the ultimate price" by dieing for his country wants to return or call, I bet the president or the police would do anything about trying to limit his speach.
I would like to invite Mrs. Sheehan to pay the ultimate price for her nation. Please, Mrs. Sheehan, go to Iraq and die in the act of defending our freedoms. After that you can say whatever you want and I will listen patiently.
Get her out, then an "oops!"
BWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
And the DUmpies are gonna have another fit over this too!
I heard a CNN radio report. At no point did the reporter differentiate between the two messages. His chosen words could have been interpreted that the messages were similar.
Aw shucks, Cindy...gee, we sure are sorry that we interfered with your latest attempt to video post-whore in front of the TV cameras. Please accept our apology in the spirit that it is intended, and never forget, that we hate you.
Sure, nitwit.
Try it in Venezuela.
Did not Mrs. Young leave when asked?
So when JFkerry ever gets up there I can display a t-shirt that says "Shut upn traitor"?
She will declare 'false arrest'.
Mrs. Young did not return to the Gallery......Does that mean SINdy was removed then sneaked back in? She wouldn't lie, would she?
"That's why I am not going to let Bushco take anything else away from me ... or you."
Oh, blow it out your butt. I'm tired of the deranged whining of these people.
Respect? Ms Cindy doesn't have a clue about respect. She doesn't even have respect for the memory of her son.
Respect? Ms Cindy doesn't have a clue about respect.......... which is precisely why she was removed
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