Breaking: Choi Chained to White House Gates
In what appears to be an unscripted act of civil disobedience following an HRC rally for the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” Lt. Dan Choi has led a group of protesters to the White House, where he has handcuffed himself to the gates.
By Kerry Eleveld and Advocate.com Editors
In what appears to be an unscripted act of civil disobedience following a Human Rights Campaign rally for the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” in Washington on Thursday, Lt. Dan Choi has led a group of protesters to the White House, where he has handcuffed himself to the front gates along with former Army infantryman James Pietrangelo.
Police officers are blocking the gates of the White House with yellow tape and are pushing back about 100 protesters, who are chanting DADT repeal slogans and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
Choi was speaking at the HRC rally at Freedom Plaza when he asked the group’s executive director, Joe Solmonese, if he would march to the White House. Both Choi and Pietrangelo were discharged from the military under DADT. Choi is the founder of Knights Out, a West Point alumni organization supporting LGBT soldiers.
“You’ve been told that the White House has a plan,” Choi told rally protesters. “But we learned this week that the president is still not fully committed. … Following this rally, I will be leading [the protest] to the White House to say ‘enough talk.’ … I am still standing, I am still fighting, I am still speaking out, and I am still gay.”
Kathy Griffin, who was in Washington at the behest of HRC to meet with members of Congress about DADT repeal, was also at the rally. When asked by Choi if she would march with him to the White House, Griffin responded, “Of course!”
Neither Griffin nor Solmonese was seen at the White House protest, however.
Gay rights activist Robin McGehee was arrested after she had apparently helped the two discharged soldiers handcuff themselves the fence. An officer who arrested McGehee said “I can’t say anything” on why she was taken into custody.
BREAKING: Photos of Dan Choi arrested
