NJ teens sue over 'God Bless America' ejection - Truckers' Trucking Forum

Baack · **^ Top** #1 09.14.2009

Quote:

, N.J. – Three teenagers who say they were tossed from a New Jersey ballpark over their refusal to stand during the song "God Bless America" are suing the minor league Newark Bears.
The boys argue that their constitutional rights were violated when they were asked to leave Newark's Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium on June 29 by Bears' president and co-owner Thomas Cetnar.
Cetnar acknowledged the boys were asked to leave but declined to say why. He also has denied making some statements attributed to him in the lawsuit.
The boys — Millburn High seniors Bryce Gadye and Nilkumar Patel, both 17, and junior Shaan Mohammad Khan, 16 — sued in federal court on Friday seeking unspecified damages.
According to the lawsuit, the boys were seated behind home plate when the song began playing. Once it ended, they say Cetnar approached them yelling.
"Nobody sits during the singing of 'God Bless America' in my stadium," the lawsuit quotes Cetnar as saying. "Now the get the (expletive) out of here."
Cetnar denied saying that: "Never, never did that ever happen."
Cetnar said he hasn't seen the lawsuit, but called the boys' account "a huge fabrication."
The boys are being represented by Bryce Gadye's father, Ross, who said the boys weren't protesting the song and no one asked them to stand.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090914/...park_etiquette

outerspacehillbilly · **^ Top** #2 09.14.2009

Well he owns the place so more power to him. I have been to many business establishments that say they reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason. No different here that I can see.

Drachen · **^ Top** #3 09.14.2009

agree with outerspacehillbilly.

the guy owns the stadium. he can kick everyone in the stands out and watch the game alone if he wants. however they may be entitled to the money for the tickets back.

i'm gonna be the 'bad guy' here and go by their names... they probably thought the guy would immediately settle out of court rather than appear racist in the news.

outerspacehillbilly · **^ Top** #4 09.15.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drachen

agree with outerspacehillbilly.

the guy owns the stadium. he can kick everyone in the stands out and watch the game alone if he wants. however they may be entitled to the money for the tickets back.

i'm gonna be the 'bad guy' here and go by their names... they probably thought the guy would immediately settle out of court rather than appear racist in the news.

I'll be the bad guy with ya cause I was thinking the same thing about the whole deal when I read the names and ages

.

Hardlyevr · **^ Top** #5 09.15.2009

so do you think they would allow us to play baseball during their "prayer" time?

kajidono · **^ Top** #6 09.15.2009

Wow, a Mohammad. How totally surprising.

(Ban Jersey)

GAPrincess · **^ Top** #7 09.17.2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hardlyevr

so do you think they would allow us to play baseball during their "prayer" time?

Totally different. scenario. Just because a song has God in it, now we all have to stand?

Here's the thing. 'God Bless America' is not the national anthem. You stand for the national anthem. I don't think I noticed anyone standing for 'God Bless America' until after 9/11. I always stand and sing the national anthem proudly when I hear it at a ball game. Not sure I would do the same with God Bless America.

If those are the rules in that one stadium then he needs to have it printed on signs outside the stadium and put it on flyers that everyone receives upon entry.

That said, other than a refund of their ticket money I see no reason for a large law suit. Minor league teams are notoriously poor anyway. It's not like they would get anything.

cinjade28 · **^ Top** #8 09.17.2009

Well I'm a bad girl cuz I agree that if he owns it he ask them to leave. And I will go as far as to say I wouldn't doubt the kids stretching the truth.

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