NYPD Defends Ejecting Sox Fan from Yankee Stadium During "God Bless America"

The NYCLU seems inclined to follow through with last year's promise to sue the Yankees over their policy of confining fans to their seats during the national anthem and "God Bless America," which is played during the seventh inning stretch. Yesterday Red Sox fan Bradford Campeau-Laurion, a Queens resident, told us about his rough ejection from Yankee stadium at the hands of the NYPD after he tried to go to the men's room during the seventh inning's moment of mandatory nationalism Monday night.

Donna Lieberman, Executive Director of the NYCLU, tells CBS 2 that "because they are enforcing a rule of that imposes political correctness through refusing to let somebody go to bathroom while a patriotic song is playing, that violates Constitutional rights." But Michael C. Dorf, a constitutional law professor at Columbia Law School, disagrees; he told the Times last year that “it doesn’t violate the Constitution, because the Yankees are not the government. If they were a municipally owned team, you could have an issue because the team would be a state actor.

Is Yankee Stadium violating ticketholders' constitutional rights by not letting them leave during "God Bless America"? ( polls)

A spokesman for Yankee Stadium is referring inquiries to the NYPD and calling it "a police matter." A statement from the NYPD reads, "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."

Campeau-Laurion says that he only had two beers during the game, which he attended with a Yankees season ticket holder who says the police are – make sure you're sitting down – lying! He tells CBS 2: "That's ridiculous. That's completely false." But until some videotape surfaces, it's their word against the NYPD.

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By John Del Signore in News on August 28, 2008 10:47 AM

Comments [rss]

Anisha

Like a lot of the other answerers said, they live at home and have the barest minimum in expenses. I read an article a few years ago about one cop who was living in the family's basement and surviving on only bread and cold cuts because that was all he could afford. On top of that, you have to deal with potentially being hurt or killed everyday because many people hate the police and what they stand for.It sounds like such a miserable life to me. And of course, the NYPD does not recruit the best or "finest" with that salary. The best cops work where the pay is more and the stress is less. No wonder, there are so many negative incidents here with police killing and brutalizing civilians.....thanks by Anisha automotive jobs lovers park....!!!!

LMB

I'm SICK and TIRED of that DAMN song. Whenever I watch a Yankees game and the 7th inning stretch comes up, I ALWAYS make it a point to lower the volume on the TV as far as it'll go or I'll change the channel for about 2 minutes. I've always sensed an "Atmosphere" of propaganda and obligation from the Yankees front office, and this is a prime example. Now you're FORCED to be Patiotic = (BULLSHIT). Another reason not to go to Yankee Stadium, beside the high ticket prices. As for the IDIOTIC cop who tossed out fan, this is the way they harrass people when not shooting at them 50 times or entrapping them with "Operation Lucky Bag". FUCK THE NYPD AND THE YANKEES TO!!!

ltdcard

Just did a couple od quick searches and "False Imprisonment" comes to mind. The elements are there...granted it'd be a stretch...but pretty legit.

Of note, the period (duration) of confinement matters only WRT damages. If the individual was detained or otherwise disallowed freedom of movement a crime has occurred.

Fact is it was just a couple of officers breaking a red sox guy's chops and while I wasn't there I'm willing to believe both parties own a little blame.

old bus

Another reason to hate the Yankees. For guys, such as I who have recovered from prostate cancer, when you gotta go you gotta go. There's no way around it. When I must go, I'd head for a restroom even if the Marine Corps band were playing our National Anthem. Better that than urinating in my pants in public during the National Anthem.

dogbraincatscan

What's all this about it being "policy" to hold fans in their seats during GBA? I have gone to countless games since 9/11 and have left to use the bathroom every single time, after remaining seated got too much negative attention from drunk patriots who felt it was their duty to yell at a teenager for being an American-hating, commie atheist. Always stood during the pledge though.

PKinNYC

I'm a season ticket holder and have sat thru many a national anthem and god bless america (like today's by singer Ronan Tinen). I have also stood during Canada's National Anthem merely out of respect. You know I don't even much care for Canadiens really...but I'll show a little respect. God Bless America became a regualr thing at The Stadium following 9/11...and many people (fans and nypd) tie this moment in the game with 9/11 and no doubt found his actions a personal affront to their patriotism and 9/11-ishness, Of course nypd did the wrong thing (shocker) but this guy is a jack-ass for saying : (not a direct quote) "I don't care about God Bless America"...I've seen plenty of people buying beer, ketchupping up a hot dog, walking down the aisle during this time with no problems...he just ran into 2 badass cops who wanted to fuck with a red sox fan (was he wearing any red sox gear)???

Snoopy

I never liked soccer. Too many hooligans in the stands.

glob

The Swiss never have this problem.

Spirit of 76

Pity this didn't happen back in the 90s. It would have made for a good episode of Seinfeld. I can just imagine George Costanza being surrounded by NYPD at Yankee Stadium and being ejected before he can explain that he works there.

Reflect

Whats better than taking a #2 while the National Anthem Plays in tune with the removal of waste from your anal cavity? I cant think of a better time to take a shit.

FUCK YOU AND YOUR SHITTY SALARIES NYPD. YOUR STUPID SUBWAY ADDS ARENT FOOLING ANYONE. ONLY POOR SHEEP WITH NO IDENTITY. WAKE UP PEOPLE YOUR RISKING YOUR LIFE FOR 56,000 BASE PAY WHILE THE SCHMUCKS IN CHARGE GET ALL THE MONEY WHILE CALLING THE SHOTS FROM THERE COMFORTABLE DESK POSTIONS.

teledingo

Imagine being at a soccer game in China. Imagine that the game begins with patriotic communist singing. Imagine that halfway through the game, the action is stopped, chains are put up in the alleys, and everyone is obliged to engage in MORE patriotic communist singing. How would you feel?

This enforced singing at Yankee stadium is a joke. It is NOT American to force this; it is the complete opposite.

How about a rousing Take Me Out to the Ballgame?

One of the points of going to a baseball game is to leave politics and the depressing state of the world at the door, and instead enjoy a few hours outdoors watching a great game with friends and loved ones. I am offended by the Yankees' practive everytime I go to the stadium.

cutlass

The cops are idiots if they kicked him out and he wasn't drunk, and Steinbrenner is an idiot for making us listen to this stupid song every night. But when you are a Boston fan named Bradford Campeau-Laurion, I tend to start losing sympathy all of a sudden...

qwerty

I'll stand during the anthem but I'm not about to pretend that I give a fuck about God Bless America.

Mr Mel

This isn't a Yankee thing it's a cop thing.

Future Taliban

I like to masturbate to the tune of the American National Anthem.

smitty

The Yankees should be embarassed about this whole situation. They are already embarassed about their crappy season. Ugh.

I hope they change the policy.

ChampionOfTheSun

This whole thing is almost as ridiculous as those Yankee fans that bring their own American flag to the stadium and hold it up during God Bless America.

It's nice to have some prode in your country, but come on, you really need to bring a flag to a baseball game?

JMH

The poll needs an option "no, they're not violating anyone's Constitutional rights, but it's still ridiculous."

Phineas Gage

At least we won't be having this problem during the playoffs.

salad

Are you all going to swallow this?

You SHEEPLE!

The Yankees ARE the state. Please refer to Zeitgeist the movie. Google it and watch it...NAO!