article_snippet: A Penn State professor who was arrested on an American Airlines flight after lighting a cigarette and ranting about Obama said Halnon was expressing an act of 'civil disobedience'.
article_snippet: Halnon, left in Halnon police mugshot and right in a faculty photo, said Halnon was expressing an act of 'civil disobedience' when Halnon was filmed smoking and ranting about the US after Halnon plane landed in Miami .
article_snippet: I had to speak out now,' Halnon told Philadelphia Magazine. '
article_snippet: Every revolutionary I know smokes,' Halnon said. '
article_snippet: The action was necessary,' Halnon said. '
highlights_snippet: Halnon said Halnon was expressing an act of 'civil disobedience'
  Sociology professor said a cigarette was a 'symbol' that identified Halnon 'revolutionary cause'
  