Dvorin died in February, and Niederer said she asked the first lady why her daughters and the children of other politicians weren't serving in Iraq.

"At that point, it became chaotic and I was pushed and shoved," said Niederer, of Hopewell. "They engulfed me. It wasn't plain, ordinary folks, but people in suits with earphones."

The crowd chanted "Four more years" as Secret Service agents surrounded Niederer and escorted her outside. Once outside, Niederer said she was handcuffed and placed in a police van after trying to speak to reporters. She was charged with trespassing.

"I had a ticket to get in," said Niederer, adding that Hamilton police kept her ticket as evidence. "I was in there legitimately."

Niederer said she obtained a ticket by going to Republican campaign headquarters Tuesday, as a local newspaper had advised readers to do. She said some campaign workers recognized her as an outspoken anti-war activist, but still gave her a ticket. No one stopped Niederer when she checked in by name at yesterday's event.

Before Niederer's outburst in the firehouse, some people standing near her commented on her shirt, expressing sympathy, Niederer said. After her shouted question, Niederer said at least one person spoke in her defense, saying, "She has a right to speak. She's a mother."

A man standing near her noticed the Dvorin shirt and told her his son had served with the soldier in Iraq, Niederer said.

Dvorin graduated in 1998 from South Brunswick High School. He was the son of East Brunswick resident Richard Dvorin, Niederer's ex-husband.

Niederer has an Oct. 12 court date in Hamilton.