Santorum has women ejected from Barnes & Noble during appearance

When someone publishes a controversial book, they should expect heckling at public appearances to promote that book. When that someone is a powerful senator who has, in the past, endorsed/tried to enact legislation in accordance to the views presented in their book and plans to continue to do so, they should expect direct confrontation by those impacted by those views. Such is the case by Rick "A good America is a pre-abolition America" Santorum during an August 10 appearance at the Barnes & Noble store in Wilmington, DE.

Two young women went to Santorum's book signing with plans to ask him specific questions about the policies he endorse, including his opposition to same sex marriage. Instead protesting with placards outside the store or confronting him verbally, one of the women made a joke suggesting they ask the senator to sign a copy of The Kid, a book in which Santorum arch-nemesis Dan Savage details how he and his boyfriend adopt a child for signature. Santorum fans in the vicinity were offended - but then, they're offended by pretty much everything. What hapenned next, however, is beyond offensive and quite disturbing to say the least. The women were approached by Delaware State Police Sgt. Mark DiJiacomo, who was in full state trooper uniform despite serving on detail as a private security guard, and told they had to leave the store. The ejection by the DiJiacomo came shortly after he huddled with Santorum's people and people offended by the joke. The trooper then proceeded to threaten the women with arrest [emphasis added]

“Your business is not wanted here. They don’t want you here anymore. If you don’t leave, you’re going to be arrested. If you can’t post bail, you’ll go to prison. Those of you who are under 18 will go to Ferris [the juvenile detention center]. And those of you over 18 will go either to Gander Hill Prison or the woman’s correctional facility. Any questions?”

Shaffer remembers the conversation basically the same way.

“I said, ‘Sir, we’re not doing anything wrong. We’re sitting in a bookstore. On what grounds would we be arrested?’ ”

“He said, ‘This is private property. Are you going to leave on your own, or are you going to leave in cuffs?”

Shaffer decided to leave with her friends.

Galperin and Rocek decided to stay.

“That’s it,” he told them, according to Galperin. “You’re under arrest. Give me your ID. You’re going to prison.”

Sgt. DiJiacomo led the two out to his police car.

“You’re going to embarrass your families,” he told them, she recalls. “Your names are going to be all over the paper.”

He told Rocek to put her hands on the squad car, and then told both of them to call their parents and tell them to bring “at least $1,000 in bail money,” Galperin says.

The limited comments by Barnes & Noble's corporate office indicate they'd spoken to the assistant manager of the store who informed them the trooper acted without consulting management.

The most frightening aspect to the story is that the Delaware state police support the trooper's actions as appropriate

“From all indications that we have, he handled his duties and responsibilities appropriately,” says Lieutenant Joseph Aviola, director of public affairs for the Delaware State Police. Aviola says two customers warned Sgt. DiJiacomo that the young women were planning a disturbance and that there had been a previous incident at a book signing with Santorum.

Aviola says it is not uncommon for Delaware state troopers, in their official capacity, to work for private contractors, who later reimburse the state.

Apparently, the rights of liberals are suspended under Repubevangelical control.

Tags: Rick "man on dog" Santorum; marriage; feminism; parenthood; conservatism; fundamentalism; Politics; Religion; first amendment; Free Speech; Hypocrisy; Dan Savage; gay

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