By Nathan Duke
The New York Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against the Police Department on behalf of a 30−year−old Astoria man who was forcibly ejected from Yankee Stadium last summer after he attempted to walk into the men’s room during the playing of “God Bless America.”
The union filed the suit on April 15 on the grounds that Bradford Campeau−Laurion, of Astoria, was the victim of religious and political discrimination after police officers restrained him and forced him to leave the ballpark on Aug. 26 after he tried to walk past an officer during the playing of the anthem.
“I don’t have an issue with ‘God Bless America,’” said Campeau−Laurion, the director of Web productions for a media company. “I don’t have an issue with the Yankees playing the song. My issue is with the Yankees forcing people to stay in their seats and participate in it. Forcing people to participate in an act of patriotism really devalues the freedom our country fought for in the first place.”
The suit names the NYPD, Commissioner Ray Kelly, the New York Yankees Partnership, the city and the two officers involved in the incident.
Campeau−Laurion got up from his seat during the seventh−inning stretch to use the men’s room and made his way down the aisle as “God Bless America” began playing. The NYCLU’s lawsuit alleges that a police officer blocked his path and told him he could not leave during the song. Campeau−Laurion told the officer that he had to use the bathroom and attempted to walk past him.
The suit alleges that the officer grabbed the Queens man’s right arm and twisted it behind his back and another officer twisted his left arm behind his back. They then escorted Campeau−Laurion down several ramps to the stadium’s exit with his arms pinned behind his back even though he was not resisting them, the suit alleges.
The police officers then allegedly told him to leave the country if he did not like the way he was treated, according to the suit.
The Police Department could not be reached for comment.
The Yankees began playing “God Bless America” following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 as well as instituting a policy to prevent fans from moving around during the song.
“Neither the NYPD nor the Yankees can compel spectators to engage in acts of political or religious expression,” said NYCLU Associate Legal Director Christopher Dunn, who is also lead counsel on the case. “Yankee Stadium is a place for baseball, not NYPD−enforced patriotism.”
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e−mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 156.
