Presidential candidate Alan Keyes was taken into custody briefly by police Sunday night when he attempted to enter a television studio where other contenders for the Republican presidential nomination were preparing to debate.
Lee Armstrong, director of programming and creative services, said the station was "absolutely not" pressing charges.Keyes apparently was not formally arrested, but he was taken into custody - with his hands restrained behind his back - as he attempted to go in the main entrance of the WSB-TV studios about 30 minutes before the debate began.
"I have a right to speak," Keyes shouted as police hustled him away in handcuffs.
State Republican Party Chairman Rusty Paul said he had "never been so embarrassed" by the episode, which involved a candidate who has hit a chord with the pro-life faction in the party.
"We begged WSB to open it to all the candidates," Paul said.
Keyes showed up later in the evening for a live interview on a rival television station, WAGA.
He said one officer told him he was under arrest and that he was driven around for about 20 minutes before being told he was free to go at a parking lot near a city hall annex. He said he telephoned supporters from a nearby phone both but given a ride by Mayor Bill Campbell who had driven over to pick him up.
Keyes said the mayor told him he hoped the incident would not give Atlanta a bad reputation. Keyes said he would consider suing WSB-TV and trying to get its license lifted.
"I honestly feel that Atlanta and the police department here became pawns in a very vicious and ugly effort to manipulate and distort the American political process," said Keyes.