Nederlands
English
Français
Deutsch
Español
Português
Historic Peace Protest Faces Removal After Four Decades
President Donald Trump has ordered the immediate removal of the White House Peace Vigil, a continuous anti-nuclear protest that has stood across from the White House for 44 years. The vigil, recognized as the longest-running protest in U.S. history, was established in 1981 by activist William Thomas to advocate for nuclear disarmament and world peace.
Trump's Immediate Directive
During a press conference about renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War, Trump was questioned by Real America's Voice reporter Brian Glenn about the protest. Glenn described the vigil as having evolved into "anti-American and sometimes anti-Trump" sentiment. Trump responded, "I hadn't noticed," before commanding an aide: "Get it removed. Now. Today."
Constitutional Rights Clash
The White House Peace Vigil began on June 3, 1981, when William Thomas initiated his continuous protest against nuclear weapons. Over the years, the vigil gained support from various peace activists and organizations, including the Catholic Worker Movement. After Thomas's death in 2009, Philipos Melaku-Bello took over maintaining the 24/7 presence, which requires constant staffing to avoid dismantlement by authorities.
Earlier this year, Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew had already protested the vigil's presence, arguing that while Americans have the right to protest, "they don't have the right to hijack a national park and disfigure it 24/7." Supporters pointed to constitutional protections for free speech and assembly.
Park Closure and Activist Response
Following Trump's order, Lafayette Park was closed by White House security and park police. Activists were forced to leave the area, though the tent itself remained temporarily untouched. Melaku-Bello called the move a "distraction maneuver" to divert attention from demands for the publication of Epstein documents.
This action follows Trump's previous efforts to address what he considers unattractive elements in the nation's capital, including plans to remove homeless populations and deploying the National Guard against local opposition.
