Gay rights arrests at White House

[sabra]

Source: MSNBC

From NBC's Athena Jones
Park Police arrested several gay rights protestors who had handcuffed themselves to the fence in front of the White House. Capt. P.J. Beck of the Park Police said they were arrested for "failure to obey a lawful order" and that they would be taken to the Anacostia station to be processed.

According to a release from GetEQUAL, the gay rights group that organized the protest, there were six servicemembers arrested.

Police uncuffed them and slowly led them away one by one. Lt. Dan Choi, who was arrested here in a similar protest on March 18th, was the last to be handcuffed. GetEQUAL also organized that protest, and was also behind the group of protestors who interrupted President Obama's remarks at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Los Angeles Monday night.

Choi and another man wore fatigues and a black beret, a woman wore fatigues and a fourth man -- who appeared to be in his 50s or 60s -- wore a white Naval uniform.

Each protestor, including Choi, stood silently as they were uncuffed from the fence. Choi did not respond to shouted questions.

At one point, police had to use large metal cutters to get the cuffs off the fence. When Choi was finally uncuffed from the fence, police placed plastic cuffs on him and led him slowly to the waiting van.

Read more: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/04/20/2275233.aspx

[Dark]

1. This is actually quite common. People from various causes do this all the time to get attention

meh. I guess it works.

[progressoid]

18. Only attention from the internets,

The MSM isn't covering it.

[Peace_Sells]

2. tea baggers

How come tea baggers can call for an armed revolution and harass mailmen and nothing happens to them but if a gay speaks up about inequality they are arrested? How is chaining yourself to a fence worse than tea baggers screaming and harassing people?

[movonne]

4. Yes why not...oh I know they are repugs....they can get away with murder...

[jefferson_dem]

5. It's the law and what they were asking for (literally).

I applaud their courage.

PS: If teabaggers chained themselves to the White House fence, they would have been arrested too.

[defendandprotect]

3. It's an issue that deserves all the attention it can get -- !!

[kpete]

6. BREAKING: 6 activists chained to White House fence in protest of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’

Source: Dallas Voice

BREAKING: 6 activists chained to White House fence in protest of ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
April 20th, 2010

According to GetEQUAL’s Twitter feed, six activists including Lt. Dan Choi have chained themselves to the White House fence today in protest of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Here’s a photo. Stay tuned for updates. This marks the second time Choi has chained himself to the fence. On March 18, Choi and another outed military officer, Capt. Jim Pietrangelo were arrested. Choi and Pietrangelo were scheduled to go to trial April 26 for failure to obey a lawful order.

11:45 a.m. Central Time, UPDATE: According to GetEQUAL, the six activists are Choi, Pietrangelo, Petty Officer Larry Whitt, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Cadet Mara Boyd and Cpl. Evelyn Thomas.

11:50 a.m., UPDATE: According to AmericaBLOG, the White House has closed Lafayette Park to stop the media from covering the protest. The activists are still chained to the fence. Here’s a photo:



Read more: http://www.dallasvoice.com/instant-tea/2010/04/20/breaking-6-activists-chained-to-white-house-fence-in-protest-of-dont-ask-dont-tell/

[polichick]

7. Impressive tactic - too bad they still have something to protest. nt

[mike_c]

8. THAT is what patriotic dissent looks like....

:patriot:

Not a teabag in sight.

[jefferson_dem]

9. I salute these patriots.

:patriot:

[whistler162]

10. Pssst.... you missed where you need to protest by about 1/2 mile.

the Capital building is to the east!

[mitchtv]

13. they got the right target

don't worry

[JBoy]

11. Update - now on Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/20/gay-veterans-chain-themse_n_544586.html?ref=twitter

Secret Service has now cut off their handcuffs, and they've been taken away in a paddy wagon

[jefferson_dem]

16. Civil disobedience comes with a price. The price one pays for doing the right thing.

n/t

[BunkerHill24]

12. well deserved KICK & Rec'd

:kick:

[Common Sense Party]

14. Why is the White House shutting down the media?

That doesn't smell right.

[No Elephants]

19. Is the source reliable?

[sabra]

15. looks like they were arrested

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4350735

[nolabear]

17. Military heroes, all of them. Stand brave!

[No Elephants]

20. +1