A couple months ago, I mentioned a story about Bradford Campeau-Laurion, who was kicked out of the old Yankee Stadium last August because “he tried to use the restroom during the playing of ‘God Bless America.'”
The story now has a resolution.
You can move about during the song without worrying about any repercussions.
… The City of New York will pay the plaintiff, Bradford Campeau-Laurion, $10,001 and $12,000 to his lawyers in legal fees and costs.
“This settlement ensures that the new Yankee Stadium will be a place for baseball, not compelled patriotism,” Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said in a statement.
…
“The New York Yankees have no obligation to pay any of the money,” Alice McGillion, a spokeswoman for the team, said in a phone interview today. “There is no policy change at the stadium. The policy remains as it always has been, that fans are free to move about during the playing of ‘God Bless America.’”
It’s obviously the right verdict. No one should be compelled to sing in favor of God or America.
Now, if someone can explain why the plaintiff deserves $10,001, I’d love to know the answer.
(Thanks to Matt and Benjamin for the link!)