Reinstate the D.C. Peace Vigil & Protect First Amendment Rights

The recent dismantling of the decades-long peace vigil outside the White House, is a grave violation of First Amendment rights that demands immediate action. This vigil, which has stood for over 40 years as a symbol of free speech and peaceful protest, was unjustly removed under the guise of clearing homeless encampments. President Trump's order to remove the vigil, based on claims that it was an "eyesore" and potential security risk, is both misguided and unconstitutional. As a constituent who has personally witnessed the peace vigil in Washington D.C., I can attest that it was neither disruptive nor an eyesore. On the contrary, it represents the best of our constitutional democratic tradition of peaceful protest and the exercise of First Amendment rights. The vigil, initiated in 1981 by activist William Thomas, has been a cornerstone of American democratic expression, advocating for nuclear disarmament and an end to global conflicts. It stands as the longest continuous anti-war protest in U.S. history. The vigil is not an encampment but a form of protected speech under the First Amendment. The White House's defense that the vigil was a "hazard" to visitors is unfounded and fails to justify the infringement on citizens' rights to petition their government. This action is part of a broader, concerning trend of federal overreach in Washington D.C.'s policing, which began last month. It sets a dangerous precedent for suppressing dissent and limiting free expression in our nation's capital and elsewhere. I urge you to take immediate action to protect our constitutional rights. Specifically, I ask that you demand the immediate reinstatement of the peace vigil outside the White House and introduce or support legislation that strengthens protections for peaceful demonstrations, especially those of historical significance. The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy. Allowing this vigil to be silenced risks eroding the very freedoms that define our nation. Stand with the protesters and defend our First Amendment rights.