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Anti-War Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at SOTU Address Email Print

Update [2006-2-1 12:36:40 by Tom Ball]: Read Cindy Sheehan's statement of what really happened at the State of the Union.

Contrary to CNN's report of Cindy Sheehan 'unfurling an anti-war banner' it is now being confirmed that:

Sheehan had worn a T-shirt with an anti-war slogan to the speech and covered it up until she took her seat. Police warned her that such displays were not allowed, but she did not respond, the spokeswoman said. Police handcuffed Sheehan and removed her from the gallery before Bush arrived. Sheehan was to be released on her own recognizance, Schneider said. "I'm proud that Cindy's my guest tonight," Woolsey said in an interview before the speech. "She has made a difference in the debate to bring our troops home from Iraq."
This confirms the version posted by Brad Blog which ran counter to the CNN version:
The BRAD BLOG has confirmed the arrest moments ago with David Swanson of AfterDowningStreet.org. According to Swanson, Sheehan was "arrested for wearing the shirt she was wearing all day, which had the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq...She was lifted out of her seat [in the Capitol Chamber gallery] by the Capitol Police and taken away."

Swanson told The BRAD BLOG moment ago that Sheehan is "now under arrest and lockup by Capitol Police." He confirmed that moments ago with Gael Murphy, a co-founder of CodePink, an organization which has been working Sheehan. Murphy spoke by cell with Sheehan after the arrest, and they are currently arranging for an attorney for her.

"This is not the Park Police," said Swanson. "We're used to getting arrested by them. This was the Capitol Police... She didn't even want to go to the speech, she said she couldn't stand to listen to Bush, but she went. She didn't even protest, she was just wearing the same shirt she'd be wearing all day, a black shirt with the number of troops killed. It was already 'out of date' and she had to add 3 more to the previous number."

As the story was breaking, CNN was reporting the following:
Cindy Sheehan has reportedly been arrested in the House chamber by Capitol Hill police just before she was to attend tonight's State of the Union address tonight.

CNN is reporting that Sheehan had 'unfurled an anti-war banner in the house chamber' just prior to arrest. It is still unknown what was written on the banner. They are also reporting that Capitol Hill police will hold Sheehan for at least one hour for questioning, keeping her until after President Bush's speech has concluded.

Sheehan was invited to the SOTU by a California Democrat:

Bay Area Congresswoman Lynn Woosley gave anti-war activist a gallery pass late Tuesday, just hours before the planned State of the Union speech. Sheehan was in Washington to protest the president during his national address, but then came word she was invited to see the speech live. A spokesman for Sheehan says she decided to accept the invitation two hours prior to the speech.


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I will update the article.

Please note any tips or links here in the comments section.

Thanks!

Political Cortex -- Brain Food for the Body Politic

by Tom Ball on 01/31/2006 09:44:32 PM EST

MSNBC has now reported that the t-shirt said: "2245 -- How many more"

That's it a non-profane, simple, dignified t-shirt got Cindy Sheehan arrested and thrown out of the SOTU.

by pontificator on 01/31/2006 10:56:49 PM EST

Doesn't she know that the Capitol isn't a designated "First Ammendment Zone".

Such arrogance!

Thanks P!

Political Cortex -- Brain Food for the Body Politic

by Tom Ball on 01/31/2006 11:06:20 PM EST

[ Parent ]
everything I can find is just the AP bland report. No details.

by Embolden on 01/31/2006 09:58:51 PM EST

Cindy's arrest is getting some media attention. For a while it was the top story on Google News, that is, until the SOTU was over.

Now, all the big news outlets lead with SOTU but have sitting somewhere near that headline, the story of Cindy Sheehan.

by Captain Marvel on 01/31/2006 11:10:19 PM EST

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