http://www.nypost.com/seven/04162009/ne ... 164697.htm

They may open games with the national anthem, but Yankee Stadium isn't the land of the free, a Red Sox fan from Queens charged yesterday.

In a suit filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, Bradford Campeau-Laurion is challenging the Bombers' "policy" of forcing fans to stand still during the seventh-inning singing of "God Bless America."

Campeau-Laurion claims he was the victim of "political and religious discrimination" when he was booted from the Stadium for trying to take a bathroom break as the patriotic piece began last year.

The 30-year-old Web designer said he drank two Bud Lites and munched some peanuts before nature called at the Yanks' Aug. 26 game against his beloved Bosox.

As he headed toward a tunnel to the concourse, a uniformed NYPD officer blocked his path, "indicating that he could not leave during 'God Bless America,' " his Manhattan federal suit says.

Campeau-Laurion told the cop he didn't care about the song and tried to get past, but was quickly grabbed by the officer and a colleague stationed nearby.

The cops then allegedly twisted his arms back and frog-marched him to the exit.

"The officer shoved me out of the gates and told me to get out of his country," the New Hampshire native said yesterday.

Major League Baseball ordered teams to play "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. That rule was relaxed after 2002.

The team also instituted a "no movement policy" -- personally approved by owner George Steinbrenner -- after angry fans complained that some people were failing to show proper respect, according to yesterday's suit.

Campeau-Laurion's suit names the Yankees, the two unidentified officers, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and the city of New York.

In a statement, Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne disputed Campeau-Laurion's version of events, saying the officers "observed a male 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."

A Yankees spokeswoman declined to comment.

This is stupendous news. I never thought I'd see the day in which my dream of deporting Red Sox fans would be a possibility. Start packing, chud.

There are liberal regions of this country, like NYC, but cops are conservative pretty much everywhere. Fucking lame. I hope this guy wins.

Who are these people that really think that God won't be happy unless everyone stands and sings?

I mean, even at my most Catholic, I was annoyed that everyone was more or less shamed into standing for the "God Bless America" part at Astro's games. When I looked around, the body language of a lot of the crowd around me said the same thing.

Why? The Yankees don't have the right to make asinine rules about when you're not allowed to use the bathroom at their own games?

I never really thought of the song as religious, but more patriotic.

patriotism is a religion to more than a few.

Either way. It would offend me at my most "American" too.

get out of my country

there is nothing written on the ticket or anywhere inside the stadium describing that ticket buyers are not allowed to move, let alone use the bathroom, during "god bless america."

Why don't we just split the difference and deport both Red Sox fans and Yankees fans?

If there were, I certainly would budget my beer consumption so that I wouldn't have to "break the seal" during the 7th inning. Patriotism>biological functions.

Actually, I think I agree with you. They have the right to make whatever dumbass rules they want. But if they do, it should be a written rule that is included in some form of contract when buying the tickets.

Still, conservative cops are so cliche, it disgusts me.

what if he really was pretty intoxicated an being belligerent? I mean, if the cop told him "you can't leave during the song," that in of itself is wrong. After that, being belligerently intoxicated is grounds to kick someone out of a sporting event these days for the safety of other people.

guy: ok, i need to piss. heard this song a million times.
cop: sorry sir, you need to sit back down a listen.
guy: um, what? i need to use the restroom. i have that right.
cop: no, you don't.
guy: this is bullshit!
cop: STAND BEHIND THE STRIPES THERE WILL BE ORDER SO GIVE UP YOUR MIND, YEA.

what a moron. everyone knows you're supposed to wait until Crazy Mary to take a piss break.

or evenflow if you were tailgating a lot

get out of my country.