According to Stewart Neff, a Penn State police officer, "outside signs" were not allowed into the Agricultural Arena Thursday night during Republican vice-presidential candidate Dick Cheney's speech. This statement is completely inaccurate, as several hundred hand-painted Bush and Cheney signs waved throughout the audience. In fact, the Republican Headquarters held a special sign painting session specifically for this event, so that people could bring their signs inside. What was not mentioned, however, was the fact that only signs with a pro-Republican message would be allowed into the rally.

It seems fairly obvious to me that it was not "outside signs" but rather, signs that did not reflect the opinions expressed by Cheney and the other Republican candidates, were the ones not allowed inside the event. Police services, and those working the door attempted to restrict the audience members and went so far as to make people unzip their jackets, in an effort to keep those T-shirts with messages contrary to that of the rally out. Several people were escorted out of the building simply for holding Gore and Nader signs, and many were asked to leave if they chose to answer the prompts of the speakers in a way that was not in accordance with Cheney's message.

This is a blatant infringement of First Amendment rights and should not be tolerated by the students of this university. I urge you all to be aware of your rights and take a stand against this sort of injustice.