1. United States
2. Letter

I am deeply concerned about President Trump's recent directive to remove the White House Peace Vigil, a historic protest site that has stood across from the White House since 1981. This action represents a grave threat to our First Amendment rights and the principles of free speech that our nation holds dear. The White House Peace Vigil is not merely a tent, but a powerful symbol of our democracy in action. For over four decades, it has served as a continuous reminder of the importance of global nuclear disarmament and world peace. Staffed 24 hours a day by dedicated volunteers, including Philipos Melaku-Bello who spends over 100 hours per week at the site, this vigil embodies the very essence of peaceful protest protected by our Constitution. President Trump's order to "Take it down. Take it down today, right now" during a meeting with reporters in the Oval Office is a direct assault on our right to free speech and peaceful assembly. This decision appears to have been triggered by a reporter's subjective description of the tent as an "eyesore" and a claim that it had become an anti-Trump protest. However, the aesthetic preferences of a few should not outweigh the constitutional rights of all Americans. Rep. Jeff Van Drew's recent inquiry to the Interior Department questioning the protest's legality is equally concerning. As Melaku-Bello rightly pointed out, the First Amendment protects this form of expression. Any attempt to remove the vigil based on its content or message would be a clear violation of our constitutional rights. I urge you to take immediate action to protect the White House Peace Vigil. Please speak out against this attempt to silence peaceful protest and use your position to ensure that the vigil remains in place. Our democracy depends on preserving spaces for dissent and dialogue, especially in such close proximity to the seat of executive power. The White House Peace Vigil, with its flags and anti-war banners proclaiming "War is not the answer," serves as a crucial counterpoint to the decisions made within the White House. Its presence challenges us to consider alternatives to conflict and reminds us of our ongoing responsibility to work towards global peace. I implore you to stand up for our First Amendment rights and the legacy of peaceful protest in our nation's capital. Protect the White House Peace Vigil and send a clear message that in America, we value free speech over political expediency.