Baseball fan Brad Campeau-Laurion says a uniformed police officer (perhaps off-duty but working security for overtime) forcibly ejected him from the stadium last night during the Yankees-Red Sox game. Why? He says all he did was try to go to the bathroom while “God Bless America” was played during the 7th inning stretch. “I attempted to get up to use the restroom, rather urgently, during the 7th inning stretch as God Bless America was beginning. As I attempted to walk down the aisle and exit my section into the tunnel, I was stopped by a police officer. He informed me that I had to wait until the song was over. I responded that I had to use the restroom and that I did not care about God Bless America.
“As soon as the latter came out of my mouth, my right arm was twisted violently behind my back and I was informed that I was being escorted out of the stadium. A second officer then joined in and twisted my left arm, also in an excessively forceful manner, behind my back. I informed them they were violating my First Amendment rights and that I had done nothing wrong, with no response from them.
“I was sitting in the Tier Level, and of course this is the highest level of the stadium and I was escorted in this painful manner down the entire length of the stadium. About halfway down, I informed them that they were hurting me, repeated that I had done nothing wrong, and that I was not resisting nor talking back to them. One of them said something to the effect that if I continued to speak, he would find a way to hurt me more. “When we reached the exit of the stadium, they confiscated my ticket and the first officer shoved me through the turnstiles, saying ‘Get the hell out of my country if you don’t like it.’
It’s probably because he was a Red Sox fan. See the whole comic
here.
#21 – #13 – should at least credit Boortz on that.
Boortz often repeats it, but he did not author the quote. It’s an old joke of unknown origin as far as I can tell. (Sometimes attributed to Ben Franklin, incorrectly.)
#18
“It’s not a NYC thing–by all accounts Shea Stadium across town doesn’t create the same hassles. It’s a Yankee thing.”
I’m waiting for Lou Minatti to say that the Yankees are the party of hate…
“I’m waiting for Lou Minatti to say that the Yankees are the party of hate…”
Why would I say such a thing? The party of hate is the Democrat party, home of Robert KKK Byrd, Jesse Hymietown Jackson, Barack Typical White People Obama, Jimmy Black Boy Carter and DNC leaders who prayed hard for Hurricane Gustav to wipe out New Orleans.
For the two or three that defended actions by security: you are abnormal. This isn’t Yankees policy, I’d bet you anything.
I see a mid five figure out of court settlement with a NDA about terms or talking about the original incident.
Nothing will likely to the officer legally, but he will be fired from working for the Yankees.
Anyone who feels that it is okay to treat law abiding citizens like this needs to look carefully at themselves.
According to the NYPD and the Yankees, the police say something different: “The officers observed a male standing on his seat, cursing, using inappropriate language and acting in a disorderly manner while reeking of alcohol, and decided to eject him rather than subject others to his offensive behavior.”
#35—I can see why, considering the way he seems to be treated at ballparks.
Seriously, it just seems like they made that quote up to discredit the guy. Maybe I’ll change my mind once I hear witness testimony confirming their statement.
Another example of how ordinary people abuse their power by living vicariously through acts of Congress. “Thanks, Patriot Act!”
From the original article:
UPDATE, 8/28: The NYPD says it had cause to eject Campeau-Laruion, claiming he was “cursing, using inappropriate language and acting in a disorderly manner.” But Campeau-Laruon denies it, “That’s ridiculous. That’s completely false.”
#33
Like shooting fish in a barrel. Not even fun.
# 18 pprman said:
“Sad to say, Yankee Stadium security has become rather obsessive and arbitrary in recent times…”
Guess they’ve seen “Unbreakable” too many times.
Fascism – pure and simple!
35, 38,
And we all know the cops NEVER lie about that kind of thing, except in all those cases where it was demonstrated they did.
#33, Lou,
“I’m waiting for Lou Minatti to say that the Yankees are the party of hate…”
Why would I say such a thing?
Because you are a troll. An idiot. Not too bright in any other respects. And, you have yet to offer any type of rational conversation to the discussion on this or any other topic. Your usual diatribe is to blame the Democratic Party for all your woes.
And while a spade may be a spade, sometimes it is just an effen shovel.
Law Suite Coming !!! I hope he gets a BUNDLE !!! The Pigs need to be put in their place !!!
God Bless America is a Broadway show tune by Irving Berlin for Christ’s sakes! It’s NOT our national anthem. Some people are just so stupid.
#11 nothing says freedom like being forced to sing a song!
seig heil!
#43
Pot. Kettle. Black.
> Your usual diatribe is
> to blame the Democratic
> Party for all your woes.
You mean unlike someone that blames the Republican party and Bush for all their woes? Sheesh.
I bet that this guy was louder and more unruly than he remembers prior to being tossed but I would not be surprised if it was no where near any sort of behavior that warranted being tossed. I’m sure the cops simply used the fact that he had any beer as an excuse to toss him. However, I doubt he has no case because it is going to be his word against the two cops. Whose word do you think the judge will believe?
#47
Lou can rail against anyone he wants. Lots on both sides here like Paddy-O. I am personally offended by his complete lack of humor about anything.
I tossed him a floating softball to hit and he stood in dugout and yelled about the color of my uniform.
The republican-promoted mindless patriotism movement has created this environment, where you feel like you live in North Korea, not America.
Patriotism is now mandatory.