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Six Arrested at White House in DADT Protest


DAN CHOI WHITE HOUSE X390 (KERRY ELEVELD) | ADVOCATE.COM

Six U.S. military veterans chained themselves to the White House fence Tuesday afternoon in order to protest the "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Participants, who were removed from the fence and arrested around 1 p.m.,  included Lt. Dan Choi (pictured) and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo, who were arrested in a similar action last month.

The Advocate's
Washington correspondent Kerry Eleveld tweeted from the scene around noon Tuesday:

"6 vets just handcuffed themselves to the WH gates again protesting."

By 1 p.m., according to Eleveld, all the activists had been removed from the fence and placed in a police vehicle about to leave the scene.

GetEQUAL has posted information about the action, which included a diverse group of veterans:

"Our hopes swelled when President Obama promised at the State of the Union to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT), the policy that discriminates against lesbian and gay servicemembers. But his words mean nothing without action. And he has an opportunity to take action right now. The Defense Authorization Bill (DAB) provides funding for all military operations, and it will soon be up for renewal.

"President Obama knows that the DAB provides a way to repeal DADT immediately. And he knows that repealing the policy quickly and decisively is the right thing to do for LGBT servicemembers and for all of the armed forces. But recent reports suggest that the Administration is trying to delay any law change until December or even later.

"Join us in supporting Lt. Dan Choi, Capt. Jim Pietrangelo, Petty Officer Larry Whitt, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Cadet Mara Boyd, and Cpl. Evelyn Thomas as they take action at the White House to demand that DADT be repealed through this year's DAB."

Read the fully updated report: Protesters Handcuffed to White House Fence.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 4/21/2010 11:22:18 AM
    Hometown: Marble Hill

    Comment:

    If, as suggested, the Administration is trying to 'delay' changing the law until the end of the year, or later; they are making a SERIOUS mistake. My take on this is that any further political foot-dragging on this issue may well result in DIRE consequences for Democrats running for office in November. DADT MUST be scrapped before the November election, or Obama may find himself politically 'neutered' by a Congress in which Democrats no longer command a majority.

  • Name: American in London
    Date posted: 4/21/2010 10:53:37 AM
    Hometown: NY

    Comment:

    Not to worry michaelandfred. Repeal of DADT has bipartisan support. It's only the hardcore homophobes who oppose it now, and though they have much influence in the GOP, they're not going to get unanimity on this one. Even if the Pubs do win a majority of house seats in Nov. they won't take office until next year. And talk of a GOP sweep is just reading tea leaves at this point; the so-called "pundits" have been wrong many times before! Either way, DADT repeal is likely at the end of this year! So worry not, ye of little faith, Obama will deliver on his campaign promise.

  • Name: michaelandfred
    Date posted: 4/21/2010 10:01:06 AM
    Hometown: miami beach

    Comment:

    If they don't attach it to the defense authorization bill coming up in the next couple of months there is a good chance there will be no repeal. Come November, if the Republicans take control of either house as seems very likely, or even enough seats to balance things up, the chances of repealing DADT will be next to nothing.

  • Name: melvin
    Date posted: 4/21/2010 3:32:52 AM
    Hometown: South Dakota

    Comment:

    The pressure is on Obama to do something, now! With the mid-term election looming and pundits projecting a democratic loss of one kind or another, pussy footing is not the format. I have written, called and e-mailed my representatives. I receive pablum of support or downright rejection to being ignored. Apparently the 'fly in the ointment' is the only thing this government will understand. Embarrass them into action with constant protests.

  • Name: Lauren R.
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 8:06:12 PM
    Hometown: Lowell

    Comment:

    I saw Dan Choi speak at Wellesley, and it was a truly inspiring/motivational event. I hope the time for these type of events (his arrest along with the other service men and women) and the sacrifices of all those who have, are, or will participate in the fight for LGBTQ rights will come to an end in the near future-hopefully in my lifetime (which has quite a ways to go since I'm in my twenties). Yes, I have a gay agenda. It's called equality.

  • Name: Lauren R.
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 8:05:02 PM
    Hometown: Lowell

    Comment:

    I saw Dan Choi speak at Wellesley, and it was a truly inspiring/motivational event. I hope the time for these type of events (his arrest along with the other service men and women) and the sacrifices of all those who have, are, or will participate in the fight for LGBTQ rights will come to an end in the near future-hopefully in my lifetime (which has quite a ways to go since I'm in my twenties). Yes, I have a gay agenda. It's called equality.

  • Name: Peter
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 5:55:22 PM
    Hometown: Los Angeles

    Comment:

    Where were all the protest when Bush was in office? I guess this is practice for President Palin and the Republican controlled House and Senate in 2012.

  • Name: nobiashere
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 2:00:32 PM
    Hometown: LA

    Comment:

    *write our*

  • Name: nobiashere
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 1:58:15 PM
    Hometown: LA

    Comment:

    Barney Frank told us to write out representatives in Congress for change. So, maybe we're going about this the wrong way.

  • Name: Tom
    Date posted: 4/20/2010 1:48:05 PM
    Hometown: Va Beach

    Comment:

    This type of thing should be happening everywhere all the time. The ONLY way we are going to get our rights is to stand up and keep it a topic that is in their face every day. Pride marches won't do that, especially on days when congress is out. HRC has lost its bearing, and I do not believe truly has the LGBT interest at hand. If there was true equality HRC would cease to exist and with it their phoney baloney presidents job. If you want you rights, fight for them, dont depend on an organization to get them for you, and stop thinking a big pride march and parties are going to do it.



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