Man sues over Yankee Stadium ejection

NEW YORK, April 16 (UPI) -- A New York man has filed a lawsuit because he was thrown out of Yankee Stadium for trying to leave his seat during the playing of "God Bless America."

Bradford Campeau-Laurion, who lives in Queens, N.Y., said in court papers he needed to use the bathroom, Newsday reported. He filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday, saying the New York Police Department and the Yankees violated his rights.

Playing a recording of Kate Smith singing "God Bless America" has been a regular part of the seventh-inning stretch at Yankee Stadium since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Campeau-Laurion said police first told him he could not leave his seat when the song was played last August. When he tried to go around an officer blocking his way, he was escorted out of the stadium.

The police department says he had been drinking heavily and was using bad language. He says he had only had a couple of beers.

"I love America, and I think America is the greatest country in the world. But it should be my right how I choose to show that," Campeau-Laurion said.