Did Police Eject a Man from Yankee Stadium for Trying to Use the Bathroom During "God Bless America"?

From the inbox: 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. His letter reads (plus some updates after the jump):

"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.'
"Nowhere on the Yankee Stadium ticket policy nor on any posted sign does it say that forced patriotism is a required element to attend a baseball game. Nowhere in the laws of this country would that begin to be defensible.

"Furthermore, when the two officers returned to their section, Steve who was still in the stadium overhead one of the officers say 'We got to watch ourselves. One day we're really gonna get in trouble.' They were also spreading rumors with a fan with whom they were friendly that I had said 'This country sucks.'

"I do not believe in God, nor am in support of this country to a degree of patriotic fanaticism. The fact that I wanted to use the restroom instead of standing through God Bless America should not be grounds for a forcible ejection from a baseball game."

The man tells us he's left a message with no response from the Operations Office at Yankee Stadium. He's also contacted Norman Siegel, the ACLU, and filed a complaint with the NYPD Civilian Complaint Review Board. We're still working on getting a response/denial from Yankee stadium, but a regular attendee of Yankee games tells us, "This tip doesn't surprise me at all. Everyone has to stand, just like in school, and you'll get berated and harassed if you don't."

UPDATE: We just spoke to Brad, whose story is attracting a lot of attention. He has a few comments, based on your reactions:

1) I was not drunk. I had two beers about an hour apart and this was about an hour after my last one (hence, needed to pee). I have receipts to prove this, as I was using my credit card, and my friend who was with me as a witness.

2) Yes, I am Red Sox fan. I have lived in New York for over 8 years and I do not cheer loudly or wear blatant Red Sox attire at the games. In fact, I was dressed in business attire - dress shirt/pants/shoes.

3) I may have affected a little attitude, but nothing that warranted a violent response.

Last year, the NY Times looked at this confining policy. Apparently, post September 11, fans had complained that other spectators weren't singing or observing a moment of silence; spokesman Howard Rubenstein told the Times, "Mr. Steinbrenner wanted to do all games to remind the fans about how important it is to honor our nation, our service members, those that died on Sept. 11 and those fighting for our nation."

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."

Photo courtesy Wally G.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on August 27, 2008 5:15 PM

Comments [rss]

r1b2

Just felt there should be a 100th comment...

catastrophy92

Wow this whole thing is pretty fucked up but not surprizing. I can remember a couple months ago I was walking out of a restaraunt with my father talking politics, when we were crossing the road I said something about how america can be so fucked up sometimes refering to the oil crisis. As I was saying that someone driving by heard me and just went off saying get out of my country terrorist. I chased down their car while yelling at them but they just sped off running a stop sign. some people get a little out of hand sometimes!

Kevitivity

The NYPD says the guy was being an ass. I have left during the anthem to pee and it's never been an issue. This story is so bogus.

Zywie

I have been a fan of the Yankees since the 50's. Growing up in Dallas, I was a huge Mickey Mantle fan and wore his number for my many many years of playing baseball. Since Mickey was a switch hitter, I even taught myself how to switch hit while still in little league. I was the only little league player who could do this. I've carried the love of Yankee's baseball with me ever since. That is, until today and learning about this event. I will now NEVER be able to support the Yankees or speak kindly about them for the rest of my life. This behavior is a sad commentary not only on the Yankees but on New York City itself. New York will never be looked on again with favorable eyes due to idiocies taking place like this. I pity your city's populace.

javalava8787

"The Constitution doesn't grant rights, that's probably why you couldn't find anything."

@91:

The Constitution does indeed grant rights. The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the Constitution.

LesNadov

Disgraceful and embarrassing. This sort of crap makes this lifelong Yankees fan never want to support the organization again. Those who cite the lack of First Amendment rights on private property may need to be reminded that Yankee Stadium is not private property, it is owned by the City of New York, not the Yankees.

DariusMilesJesusJuice

Let's look on the bright side. At least this won't be a problem for the playoffs.

gttim

Everybody needs to start trying to leave to piss, sit, or just ignore any convention during "God Bless America." Do this especially if you are near cops. Stand up for your rights! Oh, and have you friend videoing what happens. Post to YouTube. Wait to hear from lawyers.

Agnostic Farts

Personally, I don't want a God the blesses America.

And this furthermore proof that the Yankee organization is are fascists pieces of S.

GO METS!

Politburo

"I've spent several hours pouring over the US constitution and no where does it grant an individual a right to piss. "

The Constitution doesn't grant rights, that's probably why you couldn't find anything.

glob

God Bless America is not our national anthem.

Our national anthem is "Bombs Over Baghdad" by Outkast.

Either that or we should all stand up and shout "Giet 'er duuun!!" at the same time during the 7th inning.

nycblonde

"God Bless America" is not our national anthem. I don't wear my Yankees hat at the stadium anymore because I won't take it off for any song other than our anthem and people do give you looks and make comments.

moorecor

I honestly dont know what i hate more, the red sox, red sox fans, or the NYPD. Man...this ones tough!

The Edge

Hey, you guys should try this in.. China!

MurphGuide

The Yankees have not won the World Series since they started playing "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch.

I call that the curse of Kate Smith (and Ronan Tynan)

redhookreject

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/sports/baseball/10stadium.html?_r=3&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=sports&adxnnlx=1219860152-DlFgZe0c8R6kU6s8jv3o2A&oref=slogin

Jen S

Wait a minute, I thought the "seventh inning stretch" was invented to give you time to get a beer/buy more peanuts/go to the bathroom? I've only noticed the the singing a few times, and then it seemed new to me.

Thespis

@82 -- It's Amendment Number 1.

Don't ask me what Amendment Number 2 covers.

Snoopy

I've spent several hours pouring over the US constitution and no where does it grant an individual a right to piss. There's something in there about the right to bear arms but not a thing about peeing.

NYPD at it's best again. Off duty no less. I can imagine what these thugs do on their regular tour when they are really in authority packing guns.

They really have to get rid of that CPR slogan. Four out of five fit none of the three key words sorry to say.

Akit

Greetings from the SFist side of the country.

Damn, I wouldn't expect this at a SF Giants home game, even though the Yankees is our rivals.

The only close experience I've noticed is at the Oakland A's game where throwing a napkin at someone in the all you can eat section is a one way trip with an Oakland Cop or park security. And those security guys are nut cases, watching every little move you make.

But looking at what happens at Yankee stadium is just fucked up.