They Charged Her with Free Speech

Cindy Sheehan was arrested for wearing the wrong T-shirt at the State of the Union Address. If I didn’t know better I would say that my freedoms were limited by this Administration: Indefinite arrest without trial, torture, limitations on speech, no right to privacy, no right to judicial oversight in the executive’s affairs. To agree that Cindy’s rights were violated you don’t have to be a supporter of Cindy or share her point of view on Iraq, because I don’t. You just have to care about your own freedom of speech. Cindy Sheehan was lawfully attending. She was an invited guest of Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-California. She was not being loud or unruly, she was sitting quietly, wearing a t-shirt which Bush wouldn’t have liked. She was promptly arrested and kicked out of the State of the Union Address simply for wearing a T-shirt stating “2,245 Dead. How many more?”. If you are half as angry as I am, click on my links to the right to contact your representatives and tell them. Feel free to use any parts of my letters below.
Email to my Congresswoman:

Dear Susan, I was outraged to find out that Cindy Sheehan was arrested on charges of “unlawful conduct”, a misdemeanor for wearing a t-shirt. Could you please explain to me how freedom of speech is a misdemeanor? Could you please explain to me how the government flaunts America as free and democratic when it throws dissenters into jail? I am outraged, and you should be too. I don’t know what we can do, but I want to give Bush hell for this. Just fyi, up until now I was very neutral on Cindy Sheehan. I think we have an obligation to try to fix Iraq. We broke it, we bought it. But this issue isn’t about Iraq at all. This is very much about American liberties and a government that has gone too far. -Chris

Reply from Susan Davis:

I appreciate that you took the time to share with me your thoughts on the war in Iraq and Cindy Sheehan’s detainment during the State of the Union address. While I respect the House policy of not allowing t-shirts and banners into the State of the Union, I agree that Ms. Sheehan was treated inappropriately, especially in light of the fact that another guest wearing a t-shirt was not detained. You can be sure that many of us have spoken up about this and will continue to do so. Once again, thank you for contacting me. As your representative, I both need and value your perspective. Please sign up for my E-Newsletter on my website, www.house.gov/susandavis, if you would like to receive monthly updates about what is happening in Congress.

Email to my Senators:

Dear Senator, I was outraged to find out that Cindy Sheehan was arrested on charges of “unlawful conduct”, a misdemeanor for wearing a t-shirt. Could you please explain to me how freedom of speech is a misdemeanor? Could you please explain to me how the government flaunts America as free and democratic when it throws dissenters into jail? I am outraged, and you should be too. I don’t know what we can do, but I want to give Bush hell for this. Just fyi, up until now I was very neutral on Cindy Sheehan. I think we have an obligation to try to fix Iraq. We broke it, we bought it. But this issue isn’t about Iraq at all. This is very much about American liberties and a government that has gone too far. -Chris

Reply from Dianne Feinstein’s office:

March 2, 2006 Thank you for contacting me regarding the arrest of Cindy Sheehan at President Bush’s State of the Union Address. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond. I certainly understand your concerns about Cindy Sheehan’s arrest. Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer apologized the next day for this mistaken action, stating that Ms. Sheehan should not have been confronted about her expressive t-shirt. The charges against her were immediately dropped. Once again, thank you for writing. I hope you will continue to keep me informed on issues of importance to you. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841.

Email to the tyrant in chief himself:

Mr. President, If America is free, someone needs to tell your staff. Last night Cindy Sheehan was arrested for wearing the wrong tshirt. Could you please explain to me how freedom of speech is a misdemeanor? Could you please explain to me how the government flaunts America as free and democratic when it throws dissenters into jail? Just fyi, up until now I was very neutral on Cindy Sheehan. I think we have an obligation to try to fix Iraq. Like Colin said, we broke it, we bought it. But this issue isn’t about Iraq at all. This is very much about American liberties and a government that has gone too far. You owe Cindy one hell of an apology, and I want my freedom back. -Chris