NYC police shut down speech by Cindy Sheehan

updated 10:37 a.m. ET Sept. 20, 2005

NEW YORK - Police cut short a speech by anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan and arrested a rally organizer, saying he hadn’t obtained a permit for use of a loudspeaker.

Sheehan, the grieving mother whose 26-day vigil near President Bush’s Texas ranch sparked anti-war protests around the country, had nearly finished her speech Monday when police intervened.

Supporters ushered her away from the rally at Manhattan’s Union Square park as onlookers yelled at police and chanted “Let her speak!”

Rally organizer Paul Zulkowitz was charged with unauthorized use of a sound device and disorderly conduct. He was given a court summons and released, said Detective Kevin Czartoryski.

Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq last year, is calling for the immediate return of troops from the region.

Her 25-state tour is set to culminate Saturday with an anti-war march in the nation’s capital. She gained prominence when she staged a 26-day protest near Bush’s ranch outside Crawford, Texas.

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