By Alex Seitz-Wald/Think Progress
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) donned a hoodie and took to the House floor this morning to speak out against the murder of Travyon Martin, but was shouted down and removed from the floor by the Republican speaker pro tem for violating House rules prohibiting the wearing of hats.
As Rush spoke about the murder and racial profiling, he removed his suit jacket to reveal a grey hoodie, while saying, “just because someone wears a hoodie, [it] does not make them a hoodlum.” Rush flipped up the hood, put on a pair of sunglasses, and began reciting Bible verses, prompting Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS), acting as speaker, to bang his gavel and demand that Rush stop speaking. “The member is out of order,” Harper scolded. “The member is no longer recognized.”
“The chair will ask the Sargeant of Arms to enforce the prohibition on decorum,” Harper said. “Members need to remove their hoods or leave the floor.” Watch it:
The hoodie has become a symbol in the wake of Martin’s death, with thousands of people wearing them in solidarity. Fox News contributor Geraldo Rivera sparked a backlash for saying black and Latino youths are inviting trouble by wearing them outside.
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