{"id":2619550,"date":"2026-06-26T12:34:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T16:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-settles-with-man-who-played-imperial-march-behind-national-guard\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T12:35:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T16:35:05","slug":"dc-settles-with-man-who-played-imperial-march-behind-national-guard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dc-settles-with-man-who-played-imperial-march-behind-national-guard\/","title":{"rendered":"DC settles with man who played Imperial March behind National Guard"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdc-settles-with-man-who-played-imperial-march-behind-national-guard%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2619550&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A partial settlement has been reached in a First Amendment lawsuit involving a protester in Washington, D.C. The protester, Sam O\u2019Hara, was detained after playing the \u201cImperial March\u201d from \u201cStar Wars\u201d behind National Guard troops during a exhibition criticizing their deployment.Under the settlement, the District of Columbia agreed to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/epstein-estate-to-pay-more-than-105-million-to-u-s-virgin-islands\/\" title=\"Epstein Estate To Pay More Than 5 Million To U.S. Virgin Islands\">resolve claims related<\/a> to police conduct, though the lawsuit will continue against Ohio National Guard Sgt. Devon Beck, who called police to stop the protest. O\u2019Hara\u2019s detention was alleged to violate his First and Fourth Amendment rights, and the lawsuit emphasizes that government officials cannot punish peaceful speech or conduct false arrests. O\u2019Hara stated that the government\u2019s attempt to silence him backfired, bringing more attention to the issue. The American Civil Liberties union (ACLU) filed the suit and did not disclose the settlement amount, citing privacy reasons.The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-court-takes-on-the-administrative-state\/\" title=\"Court handles administrative state.\">case highlights concerns<\/a> over the deployment of National guard troops to suppress peaceful protests and underscores the importance of protecting constitutional rights.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A partial settlement has been reached in a<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/first-amendment\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"881\"> First Amendment <\/a>lawsuit filed by a<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/district-of-columbia\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1483\"> Washington, D.C.<\/a>, man who was detained after protesting <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/national-guard\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1956\">National Guard<\/a> troops by playing the \u201cImperial March\u201d from \u201cStar Wars\u201d behind them last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the settlement, the District of Columbia agreed to resolve claims stemming from the conduct of Metropolitan Police Department officers. The lawsuit, however, will continue against Ohio National Guard Sgt. Devon Beck, who allegedly summoned police to stop the protest.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4626251\/john-bolton-pleads-guilty-mishandling-classified-information\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>John Bolton pleads guilty to one count of mishandling classified information<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4626199\/illegal-immigrant-gets-eight-year-prison-sentence-for-89-million-payroll-tax-fraud-scheme\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Illegal immigrant gets eight-year prison sentence for $89 million payroll tax fraud scheme<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4626044\/doj-order-epstein-files-unredacted-torture-video\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge orders DOJ to unredact Epstein files related to Trump and \u2018torture video\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe government\u2019s efforts to silence me ultimately backfired and brought more attention to the unjust deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C.,\u201d plaintiff Sam O\u2019Hara said in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/maustermuhle\/status\/2070505359710507177\/photo\/1\">statement<\/a>. \u201cThis settlement serves as a reminder that constitutional freedoms are worth defending, especially when those in power would prefer we stay quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia on O\u2019Hara\u2019s behalf, alleges he was handcuffed and detained after peacefully following National Guard troops while playing the iconic villain theme associated with Darth Vader and the Galactic Empire.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur right to free speech grants us the freedom to criticize the government. Government officials don\u2019t have to like it, but they can\u2019t punish someone for their speech,\u201d said Scott Michelman, legal director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia. \u201cThis episode is another demonstration of the folly of Donald Trump\u2019s deployment of National Guard troops to patrol D.C. We don\u2019t need them here, intimidating residents and violating their constitutional rights.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the settlement, the ACLU told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> it wouldn\u2019t disclose the total amount.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt was a significant amount Mr. O\u2019Hara is pleased with but that we are not disclosing to respect Mr. O\u2019Hara\u2019s privacy,\u201d Michelman told the Washington Examiner.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the complaint, O\u2019Hara began staging the protest after President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump <\/a>deployed National Guard troops to patrol Washington in August 2025. His demonstrations involved walking behind troops while playing the \u201cImperial March\u201d from \u201cStar Wars,\u201d a song used throughout the series to introduce the villain Darth Vader.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lawsuit alleged that on Sept. 11, 2025, near the intersection of 14th and Q streets NW, Beck warned O\u2019Hara that he would call D.C. police to \u201chandle\u201d him if he continued. Police officers then handcuffed O\u2019Hara and detained him for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ACLU alleged the detention violated O\u2019Hara\u2019s First and Fourth Amendment rights, as well as D.C.\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >law prohibiting false arrest<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4460164\/trump-endorsement-tracker-gop-2026-election-primaries\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4460164\/trump-endorsement-tracker-gop-2026-election-primaries\/\">TRUMP ENDORSEMENT TRACKER: HERE\u2019S WHO THE PRESIDENT HAS PICKED IN GOP MIDTERM ELECTION PRIMARIES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe law might have tolerated government conduct of this sort a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,\u201d the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.acludc.org\/app\/uploads\/2025\/10\/20251023-OHARA-COMPL-FILED.pdf\">complaint<\/a> states. \u201cBut in the here and now, the First Amendment bars government officials from shutting down peaceful protests, and the Fourth Amendment \u2013 along with the District\u2019s prohibition on false arrest \u2013 bars groundless seizures.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ACLU and D.C. attorney general\u2019s office did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>D.C. settles First Amendment case over Star Wars protest<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2619551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26173469175456-e1782151942223.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[50501,81794,4585,37479,9811],"class_list":["post-2619550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-dc-2","tag-imperial-march","tag-lawsuit","tag-national-guard","tag-settlement"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26173469175456-e1782151942223.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2619550"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2619554,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2619550\/revisions\/2619554"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2619551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2619550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2619550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2619550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}