Cindy Sheehan arrested

[clevermanka]

Cindy Sheehan was arrested last night in the House Gallery, after refusing to cover up a T-shirt bearing an anti-war slogan. The official charge: Unlawful Conduct.

Thanks to gmskarka for the link.

I really don't know what to do. Writing letters at this point just seems like a joke.

xposted to danger_army

Comments

[lionsaoi.livejournal.com]

A co-worker and I were talking about that this morning. I'm of two minds. First, it's obviously an infraction of her rights (when did "fashion police" become a literal thing?), but not all that surprising considering how Bush's people have been limiting access to rallies and the like and actively expelling and arresting silent protesters for the exact same thing. Granted, I'm surprise a bit surprised that this happened at the state of the union, but I guess it might as well be a political rally. Who was the Senator who invited her and do you know what his/her response has been?

Second, though, was this thought: Good for you! She *had* to know that Bush's people would react viserally to her display and that she would be expelled. As an activist she did the most important thing: she got press. I certainly don't think Sheehan innocently donned a protest t-shirt and was shocked by the results. It had to be planned; she's too savy.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm quite sure it was intentional. I have no doubt about that. The fact that it worked, however, is absolutely horrifying.

[lionsaoi.livejournal.com]

Hrm. I didn't really think about it that way. How sad is it that I've become acclimated to a police state?

[geekmom.livejournal.com]

I'm a bit confused on the legal basis, too. Was she kicked out, because she refused to leave, and she was asked to leave, because of the shirt? That's the only way I can see that they'd have the right to remove her for symbolic speach.

But good for her for doing it.

[lionsaoi.livejournal.com]

I heard on the radio this morning that she was initially arrested for "Protesting on the Capital", but then the charges were reduced to "Disorderly Conduct"... but I don't have a link for that.

Who knew you couldn't protest on the Capital? What an inane law.

[next-bold-move.livejournal.com]

She was invited by California Rep. Lynn Woolsey. I'm not sure what the response has been this morning, though.

It was a remarkably savvy moveon Sheehan's part.

[lionsaoi.livejournal.com]

I do wonder, however, how it will be spun in the press. Obviously FOX and the like will be screaming "radical lefty liberal" all morning long, but how will the *ahem* "mainstream" media present it?

[next-bold-move.livejournal.com]

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

Here's CNN's reporting of the incident.

[lionsaoi.livejournal.com]

A Republican woman was removed, too? That should be an interesting study in contrasts.

[next-bold-move.livejournal.com]

That would seem to be a surprising attempt at parity.

( A part of me is horrified at the notion of wearing a t-shirt to such a formal event...is that weird?)

[lionsaoi.livejournal.com]

Heh. No... I was thinking the same thing. Actually, I was thinking, Hrm. I wonder if they knew about Sheehan coming and set this Republican chick up to take a fall, just to make the whole thing look like a "we cart off all protesters" not "we cart off liberal evil protesters". I mean, what conservative woman in her right (heh) mind would go to the State of the Union Address in her Hanes? But, maybe I'm paranoid.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

You're not paranoid. I had the exact same reaction when I first heard about the other woman. Sad.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I meant you're not alone in your paranoia, that is. =D

[lionsaoi.livejournal.com]

Paranoia is better with a friend.

[next-bold-move.livejournal.com]

That's a very paranoid, very insightful observation. You've convinced me.

[next-bold-move.livejournal.com]

http://sui-generis.livejournal.com/79231.html

This is a better account that flies in the face of my notion of parity. Bleh.

[rougewench.livejournal.com]

Cindy Sheehan's statement regarding the event (http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php?id=594)


D.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that, although it doesn't help my mood any.

[rougewench.livejournal.com]

I can well understand why not.

But I appreciate that the woman continues to stand up and intends to continue to stand up. More people ought to.


D.