Free Speech

Once again we have such glorious examples of freedom:

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Joseph M. Hoeffel was arrested yesterday outside the Sudanese Embassy, becoming the third congressman in a week charged with protesting what they described as genocide in the African nation.
Hoeffel was joined by his wife, Francesca, and comedian-turned-activist Dick Gregory in the highly choreographed midday arrest amid a crowd of about 30 protesters singing "We Shall Not be Moved."
"What is happening in the Sudan is genocide," said Hoeffel, a Democrat and member of the House International Relations Committee who is running for the U.S. Senate against Republican Arlen Specter. His 13th District encompasses parts of northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County.
"It's government-sponsored genocide, and ethnic cleansing - partially based on race, partially based on religion," Hoeffel said. "It is wrong and it is time to call it for what it is: hateful genocide."
Tens of thousands of civilians from black African tribes have been slaughtered in Sudan's western Darfur province in the last year and a half, and an estimated one million driven from their homes.
Human rights groups claim to have proof that the Sudanese government has armed, supported and given political cover to the Arab militiamen responsible. Sudan's government has denied involvement in the attacks against blacks in the region.
An embassy spokesman did not return calls for comment yesterday.
Last week, Democratic Reps. Charles B. Rangel of New York and Bobby L. Rush of Illinois were charged in separate protests.