6 military vets handcuff selves to White House gates to protest Obama inaction on DADT

[Bluebear]

Americablog:



The President is no longer helping get Don't Ask Don't Tell repealed this year, even though he promised to do so in his State of the Union. So the gays are finally fighting back.

GetEqual, the new LGBT advocacy group that organized last month's civil disobedience where Lt Dan Choi and Capt Jim Pietrangelo handcuffed themselves to the White House gates to protest the President's inaction on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and where numerous protesters staged a sit-in in Speaker Pelosi's DC and SF offices, organized a double whammy of civil disobedience targeting the President in the past 24 hours.

Last night, GetEqual protesters repeatedly interrupted the President's speech at a fundraiser for US Senate Barbara Boxer in Los Angeles. The President was visibly angry the second time the "repeal DADT" protesters interrupted the President...

Today, GetEqual organized six former military vets to handcuff themselves to the White House gates. The vets included Choi and Pietrangelo. They were joined today by Petty Officer Larry Whitt, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen (from Pam's House Blend), Cadet Mara Boyd, and Cpl. Evelyn Thomas. GetEqual issued a statement saying that these actions are just the beginning, and that the White House should expect more civil disobedience until President Obama keeps his promises to the gay community about ENDA, DADT, DOMA and more.

After the vets had been at the fence for around half hour or so, suddenly the police started to freak out. Out of nowhere, they closed Lafayette Park - something none of us, including the mainstream media assembled there - had ever seen. The police literally ordered the press to leave, and pushed all us back halfway to the end of the park, telling us the park was closed.

http://gay.americablog.com/2010/04/6-military-vets-handcuff-selves-to.html

[The Straight Story]

1. Just tell them to wait a while, it takes time for people to get their rights, but little time for

banks to get bailouts.

If it were important it would be done already. It obviously isn't....

[piratefish08]

2. Good for them! I hope their effort is taken seriously in the WH.

Pres. Obama has been highly disappointing on this particular issue - especially since it is one that doesn't have to involve the obstructionist pricks in congress.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[msongs]

4. would obama tell slaves to wait a year or ten so we could study if they should be free? nt

[Bluebear]

5. kick

[JoeyTrib]

6. Awesome.

:wow:

[G_j]

7. I salute them

:applause::applause:

[ShortnFiery]

28. I'm with you. If Obama doesn't do this now, DADT won't be repealed in the next decade.

So much for HOPE. :thumbsdown:

[G_j]

29. I hope that is wrong, but the chances are not good. nt

[Mari333]

8. heroes. knr

[HipChick]

9. ...Lafayette Park is often closed..

BS...I was there Sunday, and it was closed off up to the streetposts and flanked by security/cops...

[Bluebear]

19. Lafayette Park hours at link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8185593#8185913

[Flubadubya]

10. More power to them...

shame on Obama! :(

[KG]

11. fierce advocate!

[tnlefty]

12. Were they also arrested?

And why did the police freak out. 2 questions that I didn't find info about in the article.

Hats off to the vets. :thumbsup: :patriot:

[Bluebear]

15. Also see:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8185593

[tnlefty]

18. Thanks!

The deleted in the threads just boggles the mind. I've been in 3 related to this topic and just astounds me. I need a :shrug: :eyes:x( :crazy: :think: :wtf: :grr: :thumbsdown: all rolled into one emoticon. Sheesh.

[Eyerish]

13. K&R

I don't think Obama realizes how idiotic it was to turn his back on the GLBT base. This is only going to get worse for him.

[Starry Messenger]

14. Excellent!

The longer that line against the fence stretches, the less they can be ignored.

[ruggerson]

16. recommended

[Lyric]

17. Oh, nobody takes that sort of thing seriously.

They're just acting like spoiled little brats!

:sarcasm:
:eyes:

[Texasgal]

20. YES!!!

I am so proud of these soilders!!!

[Stinky The Clown]

21. Okay, that's it ......

I hoped I could keep the clown in my sig line. Clearly that thought was premature. Little has changed. The flag flies again.

Solidarity.

[Bluebear]

22. Love and thanks to you, man

[Stinky The Clown]

27. Back atcha

:hug:

This sort of protest is what I'd expect under an R president. To find it necessary under a Democrat is mind boggling.

And whats this about closing Lafayette Park in time to clear the protesters?

[amborin]

23. K&R

[Ohio Joe]

24. Bravo! - nt

[donco6]

25. Great photo.

Shame on Obama for not acting on this. Keep up the pressure.

[Behind the Aegis]

26. Good for them!

They served for their country, it is now time for their country to serve them!!!