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LetMyPeopleVote

(184,301 posts)
Mon Jun 29, 2026, 04:48 PM Monday

Man who protested Trump DC surge with 'Star Wars' music awarded payout: 'I'm pleased' [View all]

Last edited Tue Jun 30, 2026, 10:26 AM - Edit history (1)

This made me smile

A Washington, D.C. resident who protested President Donald Trump’s surge of National Guard troops in the nation’s capital was awarded a “significant” settlement after being placed in handcuffs last year for following troops while playing the "Imperial March” score from “Star Wars.

Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2026-06-29T17:30:13Z

https://www.rawstory.com/washington-dc-2677124345/

A Washington, D.C. resident who protested President Donald Trump’s surge of National Guard troops in the nation’s capital was awarded a “significant” settlement after being placed in handcuffs last year for following troops while playing “Star Wars” music.

I’m pleased that the D.C. police recognize their part in violating my rights,” said Sam O’Hara, speaking with The Washington Post Friday after having just reached “a financial agreement with the D.C. government and four of its officers.” “I will say that I’m pleased and [the settlement] was significant and meaningful.”

Last fall, O’Hara followed a group of National Guard troops in D.C. while playing the "Imperial March,” a menacing orchestrated piece typically associated with the iconic “Darth Vader” villain from the “Star Wars” franchise. Despite having pulled similar acts of protest in the past, one National Guard soldier in particular wasn’t pleased with O’Hara’s form of protest, and ended up contacting D.C. police.

With the help of the American Civil Liberties Union, O’Hara successfully sued the D.C. government over what he called his wrongful detention, though the specifics of the settlement were not disclosed by either party.
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