Amy Donahue, assistant professor of philosophy at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, was arrested at the Georgia Capitol this past Friday as she tried to display a sign opposing legislation that would permit concealed weapons on college campuses. According to the Savannah Morning News:

State Troopers handcuffed and arrested Kennesaw State University philosophy professor Amy Donahue for disruption of the General Assembly and obstruction of an officer. She was holding a 22-by-28-inch sign opposing legislation that the Senate later passed 37-17 that would allow students 21 years old and older to have a concealed weapon on college campuses.

Though there is a state law allowing Capitol security to ban signs from the building, there is concern that it was the content of Donahue’s sign that led to her arrest:

A woman accompanying Donahue said legislative officials told them holding a sign would be permissible on the Capitol floor that legislators use, but a statement from the Georgia State Patrol quoted a state law authorizing security officers “to deny entrance into or upon any such property or building of any person displaying any sign, banner, placard, poster, or similar device.” Donahue had already been allowed entrance to the building with her poster and had even ventured to the fourth floor before her arrest on the busy third floor. Groups regularly bring signs into the Capitol, and because the State Patrol did not argue hers was somehow a greater risk to safety, officers apparently arrested her because of what was written on her sign.

Donahue was charged with two misdemeanors and released on a $2000 bond. Details here.

(photo from Savannahnow.com)