A Yale University student was charged today with assaulting Secret Service agents as he tried to climb into Vice President Dick Cheney's box seat at the Republican National Convention.
Mr Thomas Frampton, shouting anti-war statements, came within ten feet of Mr Cheney before he was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by Secret Service agents on the opening night of the convention last night, according to court papers.
Mr Frampton (21), posing as a volunteer at the convention, faces misdemeanor charges of assaulting federal officers and impeding the operation of the Secret Service. His attorney said the student was expressing his right to free speech.
According to the complaint filed in federal court, Secret Service agents spotted Mr Frampton on a walkway near the vice president's seat carrying a "Bush-Cheney '04" sign.
When the agents asked Mr Frampton to "move along," he nodded but quickly turned back toward Mr Cheney and started shouting anti-Bush administration statements. He then attempted to climb over a small wall separating the box from the walkway.
Two Secret Service agents then attempted to restrain him, but he swung his elbow at one and continued to shout at Mr Cheney. After a brief struggle, Mr Frampton was dragged away from the box and handcuffed, the court papers said.