Congresswoman Defends Sheehan's Conduct at Bush Speech -- GOPUSA

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Congresswoman Defends Sheehan's Conduct at Bush Speech
By Nathan Burchfiel
CNSNews.com Correspondent
February 2, 2006

(CNSNews.com) -- One day after anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested for wearing a politically charged T-shirt to the State of the Union address, the California Democrat who invited Sheehan to attend says Sheehan broke no laws.

Sheehan was arrested before the speech began for wearing a shirt that read, "2245 Dead. How many more?"

It was a reference to the number of U.S. servicemen and women who have died during the war in Iraq. Woolsey had given Sheehan a ticket to the speech earlier in the day.

In a press release issued Wednesday, Woolsey defended Sheehan. "Since when is free speech conditional on whether you agree with the President? Cindy Sheehan, who gave her own flesh and blood for this disastrous war, did not violate any rules of the House of Representatives," Woolsey stated.

But Sheehan did appear to violate Title 40, Section 5104 of the United States Code, which prohibits displaying "a flag, banner, or device designed or adapted to bring into public notice a party, organization, or movement" on Capitol grounds.

Woolsey spokeswoman Susannah Cernojevich told Cybercast News Service that she "couldn't answer" about whether Sheehan's desire to make a statement with the T-shirt constituted a violation of the U.S. code. But Woolsey "stands behind her statement," Cernojevich said.

Sheehan wasn't the only person removed from the chamber before Bush began delivering his sixth State of the Union address. The Associated Press reported that Beverly Young, the wife of Florida Republican Rep. C.W. Bill Young, was removed for wearing a "Support the Troops" shirt in the gallery.