Cindy Sheehan Watch: Arrested at the Capitol Prior to State of the Union Address

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Anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed serving as a U.S. serviceman in Iraq, talks with security personnel in the U.S. House of Representatives chamber after arriving for the State of the Union address by U.S. President George W. Bush on Capitol Hill in Washington January 31, 2006. Sheehan was escorted back out of the chamber a short time later and there were unconfirmed reports that she had been arrested.

ASSociated Press: Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at Capitol

Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq who reinvigorated the anti-war movement, was taken into custody by police in the House gallery Tuesday night just before President Bush’s State of the Union address.

Police escorted Sheehan from the visitors’ gallery above the House chamber after causing a disruption, said a Capitol Police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the incident were sketchy.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., had invited Sheehan to the address as her guest.

“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.”

Woolsey offered Sheehan a ticket to the speech _ Gallery 5, seat 7, row A _ earlier Tuesday while Sheehan was attending an “alternative state of the union” press conference by CODEPINK, a group promoting the end of the Iraq war.

She was arrested because she unfirled a banner and began a demonstration before the President’s State of the Union address. Both are against House rules.

Developing……..

Update #1

ASSociated Press: Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at Capitol

Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a fallen soldier in Iraq who reinvigorated the anti-war movement, was arrested and removed from the House gallery Tuesday night just before President Bush’s State of the Union address, a police spokeswoman said.

Sheehan, who had been invited to attend the speech by Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., was charged with demonstrating in the Capitol building, a misdemeanor, said Capitol Police Sgt. Kimberly Schneider. Sheehan was taken in handcuffs to police headquarters a few blocks away and her case was processed as Bush spoke.

Schneider said 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.

Cindy cannot let it go……..

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