A Washington resident has filed a federal lawsuit against the District of Columbia, claiming police violated his constitutional rights during a peaceful protest. The man, Sam O’Hara, protested the deployment of Ohio National Guard troops by playing Darth Vader’s iconic theme song, “The Imperial March.”
Lawsuit Details
O’Hara’s lawsuit, filed on Thursday, highlights the sequence of events that occurred on September 11. He asserts that he did not interfere with the National Guard patrol while following them on a public street. However, one soldier contacted the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), leading to O’Hara’s detention for 15 to 20 minutes.
Claims Against Officers
- The lawsuit alleges violations of the First Amendment rights to free speech.
- It also claims infringement of Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable seizure and excessive force.
- O’Hara is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit cites that police detained him without charges and did not investigate the situation. O’Hara emphasized his peaceful intent, stating, “The law might have tolerated government conduct of this sort long ago, but the First Amendment protects peaceful protests today.”
Background Context
This incident comes amid heightened military presence in Washington, D.C., following an executive order by former President Donald Trump. In August, Trump declared a crime emergency, resulting in over 2,300 National Guard troops being deployed across the city. Trump’s decision has faced criticism, with local leaders, including District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, opposing the militarization of civilian areas.
Public Reaction
Many residents share O’Hara’s concerns about the normalization of armed forces policing neighborhoods. His protests, which have garnered attention on platforms like TikTok, aim to challenge this trend.
As the case progresses, the actions of the MPD officers involved remain under scrutiny. The suit is currently assigned to U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly.
