White House Dismantles Decades-Long Peace Vigil After Trump's Order
Law enforcement removed a decades-long peace vigil outside the White House, promoting nuclear disarmament, following President Trump's order, after the White House labeled it a hazard.
Overview
- Law enforcement dismantled a decades-long peace vigil outside the White House, which advocated for nuclear disarmament, following a direct order from President Trump.
- The vigil, believed to be the longest continuous anti-war protest in U.S. history, had been a fixture outside the White House for decades.
- President Trump ordered the dismantling after becoming aware of the vigil during a White House event, leading to its removal.
- The White House justified the removal by labeling the vigil a hazard to visitors and mischaracterizing it as a shelter, despite its long-standing presence.
- Volunteer Philipos Melaku-Bello argued the vigil was wrongly classified and protected by the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, presenting a balanced account of the vigil's removal. They report the event factually, offering justifications from the White House and counter-arguments from the vigil's volunteer. The coverage includes historical context and details the interaction that led to Trump's order, allowing readers to form their own conclusions.
"The removal of the peace vigil, which had stood for over four decades, has been met with claims of civil rights violations and mislabeling by officials."
Associated PressArticles (3)
FAQ
The White House Peace Vigil was a continuous anti-war protest calling for nuclear disarmament and world peace, located directly across from the White House. It lasted from 1981 until it was dismantled in 2025, making it the longest continuous political protest in U.S. history.
The vigil was started by William Thomas in 1981. Other key activists included Concepción Picciotto, Ellen Benjamin, and since 2016, Philipos Melaku-Bello, who dedicated over 40 hours a week to sustaining the vigil.
President Trump ordered the removal after being made aware of the vigil by a reporter, who described it as an eyesore and alleged it had turned into an anti-Trump protest. The White House labeled the vigil a hazard to visitors and mischaracterized it as a shelter, despite its long-standing presence.
Volunteer Philipos Melaku-Bello argued that the vigil was wrongly classified and emphasized that it was protected under the First Amendment as a freedom of speech demonstration.
The vigil was continuously staffed by volunteers who dedicated considerable time even during major challenges such as Hurricane Sandy, civil unrest, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The dedication of activists like Philipos Melaku-Bello helped maintain the vigil 24/7, ensuring it could not be dismantled by authorities except by direct executive order.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.