Student Banned from Bush Speech for Wearing 'Young Democrat' T-Shirt

A 13-year-old girl was arrested yesterday at the Tucson Convention Center after she threw an egg at President Bush’s motorcade. The girl and her aunt were protesting the president’s speech on Social Security reform. The aunt was cited with disorderly conduct and released. (Photo/CASSIE TOMLIN/Arizona Daily Wildcat)

UA Young Democrat Steven Gerner, a political science and pre-pharmacy sophomore, said he and three other Young Democrats had been waiting in line with their tickets for about 40 minutes when a staff member approached him and asked to read his T-shirt.

Gerner was the only one of the four wearing a UAYD T-shirt, which read, “Don’t be a smart (image of a donkey, the Democratic Party symbol). UA Young Democrats.”

Gerner said the staffer, who refused to provide his name, asked for Gerner’s ticket and crumpled it up.

The staffer walked away, returned in 20 minutes, and told Gerner his name had been added to a list banning him from entering the convention center for the speech.

“I was certainly shocked,” Gerner said. “Everyone should have access to this information.”

Gerner said he obtained a free ticket to the speech from the office of Congressman Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz. The ticket had his name printed on it.

“I really wanted a chance to hear the Bush side of the Social Security debate,” Gerner said. “Unfortunately, I won’t hear all the facts now, first-person.”

Kate Calhoun, TCC sales and marketing manager, said the venue’s staff did not control entrance to the event, but said the Secret Service was…

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