Grieving mother turned anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan cleared things up and said she was "roughed up" by a supporter, not the police, when a rally was broken up at Union Square on Monday night. Her assistants had pulled her out of the fray quickly when the cops descended. However, Sheehan did say that police force seemed "pretty excessive" over an audio permit equipment issue. The organizer did actually apply for a permit, but was denied because a five-day waiting period was needed. Okay, folks, keep this in mind for your impromptu gatherings: Plan them five days-plus in advance. Sheehan's group capped off this issue by saying she didn't want to speak about this, as it's "really about the war."
The Village Voice has more on the story and points out that the police didn't seem to be bothered by a folkie playing music nearby.
Photograph of Sheehan speaking at St. John the Divine from Indymedia
