Law enforcement officials dismantled a peace vigil that had stood in front of the White House for over four decades, following orders from former President Donald Trump issued just two days earlier. The vigil, initiated in 1981 by William Thomas, aimed to promote nuclear disarmament and an end to global conflicts, making it one of the longest continuous anti-war protests in the United States.
The vigil was located in Lafayette Square, directly across from the White House gates. For many years, volunteers maintained the site, ensuring its presence as a symbol of peace and advocacy. On March 2024, a correspondent from the conservative network Real America’s Voice, Brian Glenn, posed a question to Trump regarding the vigil. Glenn described it as a blue tent originally established for anti-nuclear purposes, suggesting it had evolved into a broader anti-American sentiment. Trump, unaware of the tent’s existence, ordered, “Take it down, right now,” signaling the beginning of its removal.
Early on Sunday, officers arrived at the vigil at approximately 06:30 and informed Will Roosien, a 24-year-old volunteer, that he had 30 minutes to vacate the area. Roosien refused to comply, stating he was detained as officers proceeded to dismantle the tent. He expressed his dismay, stating, “This is a disgrace, and you should all feel ashamed,” as captured in a video obtained by the Washington Post. He emphasized the vigil’s commitment to advocating for human rights and peace over the past 44 years.
Legal Battle Anticipated Over Vigil’s Removal
The longest-serving steward of the vigil, Philipos Melaku-Bello, aged 63, reported to the Washington Post that volunteers had begun reconstructing parts of the vigil on the same day. Melaku-Bello suggested that the dispute surrounding the vigil might lead to legal action. This dismantling occurred amid the Trump administration’s increased involvement in policing activities within Washington, D.C. In March, Trump had issued an executive order aimed at the “beautification” of the capital, which included directives for federal officials to remove encampments.
Melaku-Bello remarked, “The difference between an encampment and a vigil is that an encampment is where homeless people live. As you can see, I don’t have a bed. I have signs, and it is covered by the [constitutional] right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.” His statement underscores the distinction he believes should be made between temporary shelters and long-standing expressions of political sentiment.
The inquiry from Glenn followed a letter written by Jeff Van Drew, a Republican congressman from New Jersey, to the Department of the Interior. In the letter, Van Drew criticized the vigil, claiming that “nothing in the constitution guarantees the right to erect permanent structures and occupy public land day after day, year after year.” He expressed concerns that the vigil created public safety hazards and detracted from the aesthetic value of one of the nation’s iconic parks, labeling it a “failure of enforcement.”
As the situation unfolds, the future of the vigil remains uncertain, with advocates prepared to defend their right to protest. The dismantling of this longstanding symbol of peace reflects the ongoing tension between governmental authority and individual rights in public spaces.
