Woman Barred From American Airlines Flight Because of "Offensive" Pro-Choice T-Shirt

An unidentified woman missed her American Airlines flight last week because staff found her choice of clothing offensive, according to news reports.

That's because it bore a statement that first appeared at a pro-choice rally this year: "If I wanted the government in my womb, I'd f--k a senator."

The woman, identified only as "O," said of the incident, "When I boarded, I was one of the first groups to board (did not pass by many folks)."

"I was wearing my shawl loosely around my neck and upon sitting down, the lady next to me, who was already seated, praised me for wearing the shirt."

Yet a flight attendant told her that she needed to speak with the captain before making her connecting flight because the shirt was offensive.

The captain informed her that she shouldn't have been allowed to board in the first place, and would need to change before her connecting flight.

According to the woman, this caused her to miss her connection.

She says the airline called ahead to the connecting gate to tell agents there that "O" needed to change her shirt, but not to hold the flight.

"O" claims that her luggage was checked and "changing shirts without spending money wasn't an option."

American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith told MSNBC:

"The only reason she was asked to cover up her T-shirt was the appearance of the 'F-word' on the T-shirt. The [pro-choice] message is irrelevant."

AA says its terms and conditions permit it to remove passengers at its discretion, including anyone it determines is "clothed in an inappropriate manner that would cause discomfort or offense to other passengers."