Fan Ejected From Yankee Stadium Sues

Man Removed From Stadium For Leaving Seat During "God Bless America" To Go To Bathroom

(AP)  A baseball fan says he was ejected from Yankee Stadium for leaving his seat to use the bathroom while "God Bless America" played.

Bradford Campeau-Laurion filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against New York City and the Yankees.

The lawsuit contends he was made a victim of political and religious discrimination on Aug. 26.

It says two police officers who ejected him were enforcing a Yankees policy that keeps spectators in their seats during the song.

A spokeswoman says the city law office has no immediate comment. A Yankees representative did not immediately return a call.

[missionmom1]

You know that you are not hearing the complete story. I've been to lots of games and there are thousands of people moving around the entire time.
And...don't call someone a retard just because you don't like what they have to say. That is just so wrong.

[rssllbll55]

Are you kidding me. If this is true. For all we know the guy could have just been doing it to sue.
We don't want the government mandating what we can and cannot do. But its ok for the Yankees to require you to stay at your seat during this ridiculous song. Give me a break for crying out loud, but this will not stand. Everybodies gonna be going to the bathroom now. I can see it now. look out!!! (crowds of people pouring out of the stands, to go to the can).

[dragyn30]

If you read the article he left his seat during the playing of "God Bless America" not the "Star Spangled Banner", I do not think he did anything wrong. Is this policy published or do they announce before beginning of the game that they ask spectators to remain in their seats?

They have allowed the loud-mouthed haters to have prayer removed from schools, the pledge of allegiance also has been made optional, so why should this fellow be punished for walking to the restroom during a song that is not our national anthem - he showed no disrespect.

Somebody was poer tripping!!!

[rickstas]

It's like Thailand where they jail if you don't stand when they they play the hail to the king theme song.

[preus3]

Are you kidding me. A man in California can take the pledge of allegance out of our classrooms, yet a man in New York can't take a **** during the athem at a baseball game, give me a break. I hope that he wins and wins big. The yankee organization is absolutely wrong with this one.

[rhs648]

I hope the police officer are fired for this. There was no crime and they were basically conducting a false arrest under false authority.
Posted by cepe10-2009

And perhaps they were enforcing the rules of the stadium. Why fire people who were doing their job? Is the issue with the stadium workers or their employers? If they didn't enforce the rules, perhaps they would lose their jobs. Just what we need. More unemployment.

[cepe10-2009]

I hope the police officer are fired for this. There was no crime and they were basically conducting a false arrest under false authority.

[CLoverNYC1]

Perhaps if he had whizzed on the fans in front of him during the national anthem that would have been just fine.

Much ado about nothing.

[barbaram99]

Tris,
Well said. I want to share this in hope it helps. I was in student years ago and asked my teacher why a student did not say the pledge with us class. It was his church. He was not allowed to. Billy did stand with us but he was quiet. His hands at his sides. If the gent did not wish to sing then just stand there and no one should force him to sing God Bless America. Just stand there it won't hurt ye. Manners and respect are what my Dad taught us at a young age. I am 54. Values. Peace of Christ .

[barbaram99]

I am a New Englander, I live with a person who has to use the reatroom alot as he has diabetes. I Go to the bathroom before I leave the house and have practised this since a little child. I am 54. I know the what Mr. Hill meant when he said that line. I WOULD rather the person use the reatroom over sitting there having to go in his/her clothes.Go to the bloody loo or limit yer drinks of water,pop or what else ye drink. A teacher told me I could not go to the girls room I had to go bad and no I could not hold it to the end of class as I tried to but I had to just get and hurry to the girls room.I told her sorry I can't wait and left. I was in high school. i have gone to a baseball game and went to the ladies room before or after the game. I say don't drink and drink at the game. I don't . The fan should not have been told to leave just cos visting the loo. i WISH people would not spit every where as it is dirty. My late Grandpa used to chew. He carried a spittoon with him. Manners they are not taught even to children in this nation. I carry water as I have to take meds.
Some are selfcentred. The person went to the rest rest during a HYMN which God Bless America is a Hymn. It is not the National Anthen. I would not dare go to the rest room. I wait. He was not self centred in using the men's or she in using the ladies room. Ii would have been rude to mess themselves.

[Tish1160]

What the article didn't say is that the fan wanted to go to the men's room not because he had to go but because he didn't want to sing God Bless America. The Yankess franchise feels that is being disrespectful. I am a christian. I do believe in God. However, I am not going to force my beliefs on anyone else. Saying words don't make you respectful or a believer. If you have a problem with something like that I wouldn't want you participate. I truly feel there is no reason that standing and removing your hate out of respect wouldn't be enough. Our society has lost the meaning of respect. Now it's more look at things the way I do or your wrong.

[Dgunner]

If that had been me ? They would have needed at least three officers.They appear to under staffed. I would wait until next game and p---s all over the bleachers.This is the United States of America or what is left of it.

[stn_sage]

YIKES! This is really a BIZARRE rule!

With thousands of fans present. Of all ages. With deteriorating health in many Americans.

With varying degrees of ability to "hold ones' water". And you're telling me, they are going to
enforce a rule preventing people from going to the bathroom when they need to?!!

At the least, this is very strange---at the most, it's downright cruel!

But one thing it does show---is how stupid management in America truly is! And, how
stupid some people are---that they would enforce an idiotic rule like this! And, how far
down the crapper America has gone, when stupid stuff like this happens here!

[nishaboston]

Just because your have to take a **** during a song does not mean you are unpatriotic. That is stupid! They should not sell bear and other drinks before the game if they do not want people to even use the darn bathroom during the song. I hope he wins!

[summarex]

They have abandoned and forsaken the house that Ruth built and the curse of the Bambino is now upon them. They will never win another world series.

[rebelscout]

I hope he wins! This kind of thing is Communism, Not freedom! If you are treated this way we may as well be in China!!!

[oooo322]

I can't believe this unpatriotic loser...he just HAD to use the restroom during a patriotic song in NYC of all places??? he could have gone before or after the song..its not something that just all of a sudden came up, he had to know he needed to relieve himself. I hope the officers used a little force and literaly threw him out of the stadium.. better yet don't let the jerk back into the stadium.

[rhs648]

In Singapore, it is illegal to spit on the street or to chew gum. Those caught with drugs can receive the death sentence. Yet Singapore is a very clean, structured, and low crime country. In Japan, you do not eat or drink on the street except where picnic tables are placed for that purpose. These countries emphasize what is good for society. In America, we emphasize individual rights. One result of this is our belief that we can do whatever we want whenever we want. Perhaps, we would be better off if we leaned a little more in the direction of what is good for society and a little less toward individual rights. A respected New England high school principal, William Hill, in the early 1900's, used to tell his students that "no one has the right to do that which, if everyone did it, would destroy society."

[harpoot]

That is a ridiculous rule. Hope he wins and gets damages as well.

[httpwwwnews]

If they didn't post it at the ticket booth and print a disclaimer on your ticket; "You will be ejected if you do not stay at your seat during the song "God Bless America"", well then how was he supposed to know?