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Booted for Unpatriotic Bathroom Trip, Yanks Fan Sues

Suit alleges cops chucked man from stadium for God Bless America trip

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 16, 2009 6:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – A fan manhandled out of Yankee Stadium for trying to go to the restroom while God Bless America played is suing the NYPD, the Yankees, and the city, Gawker reports. Bradford Campeau-Laurion—whose suit is backed by the New York Civil Liberties Union—charges that two cops, believed to be off-duty and working security at the August 2008 game, stopped him in the aisle during the 7th-inning stretch and roughly chucked him out after he told them he needed to take a leak and didn't care about the song.

The encounter ended with the cops telling Campeau-Laurion, who says he is the victim of religious and political discrimination, to leave the country if he didn't like it, according to court papers. The police dispute Campeau-Laurion's account of events, saying he was ejected for disorderly conduct and swearing while reeking of alcohol.

A Yankees fan says police prevented him using the restroom during the playing of God Bless America and chucked him out when he complained.
A Yankees fan says police prevented him using the restroom during the playing of "God Bless America" and chucked him out when he complained.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
The New York Yankees declined to comment on whether it was team policy to restrict movement during the playing of  God Bless America.
The New York Yankees declined to comment on whether it was team policy to restrict movement during the playing of "God Bless America."   (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)
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New York’s finest have no business arresting someone for trying to go to the bathroom at a politically incorrect moment. - Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
atris999
Apr 17, 2009 6:34 AM CDT
half the fun of ball games is shotgunning beer in the parking lot!
Rob
Apr 16, 2009 10:59 AM CDT
I love the display of clairvoyance.
AnnieChrist
Apr 16, 2009 8:41 AM CDT
According to a NYY spokesman, they "ejected Campeau-Laurion, 30, after they observed a male cursing, using inappropriate language and acting in a disorderly manner while reeking of alcohol." If that is their criteria for ejecting fans, then expect the stadium to be empty after the third inning of every Yankees' game. Nothing like a little dose of enforced 'patriotism' to go with your hot dog and beer.

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