DC to Pay $50K in Settlement Over Man Detained for Playing Darth Vader’s Theme
TL/DR –
The District of Columbia has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a resident, Sam O’Hara, who was accused of illegally following a National Guard patrol while playing Darth Vader’s theme song as a protest against President Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C. The settlement, which includes attorney’s fees and costs, does not admit any wrongdoing by the district and will be dropped by O’Hara against the district and the Metropolitan Police Department officers upon receipt of payment. O’Hara, however, remains conflicted about taxpayers covering the cost of the settlement and asserts that the individuals who violated his constitutional rights should be the ones held accountable.
DC Agrees to $50,000 Settlement for Wrongful Detentions Related to Star Wars-Themed Protest
The District of Columbia has agreed to a $50,000 settlement of a lawsuit brought forward by a resident who accuses police of unlawful detention for following an Ohio National Guard patrol while playing Darth Vader’s theme song from “Star Wars” on his phone. This was seen as an act of protest against President Donald Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C.
Sam O’Hara, the plaintiff, pursued legal action against the district, four Metropolitan Police Department officers, and a guard member from Ohio. A court document revealed the settlement but didn’t disclose any monetary terms.
The settlement sum includes attorney’s fees and costs. O’Hara’s legal representation is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of the District of Columbia. In an email, an ACLU spokesperson confirmed the significant amount of the settlement and stated that O’Hara was satisfied with the outcome. However, the exact dollar figure was not disclosed for privacy reasons.
O’Hara, an artist employed in the hospitality industry, consented to drop his claims against the district and the MPD officers after receiving the settlement payment. The settlement does not serve as an admission of wrongdoing from the district.
The settlement does not include O’Hara’s claims against Ohio National Guard member, Sgt. Devon Beck. O’Hara expressed satisfaction with the settlement but showed concern that taxpayers are footing the bill. He advocates for the violators of his constitutional rights to bear the cost, such as deductions from their pensions.
O’Hara sued the district for violating his First and Fourth Amendment rights. His protest involved playing “The Imperial March” theme from “Star Wars” as he followed National Guard soldiers on a public street. Police officers handcuffed him for about 20 minutes but released him without charges, according to the lawsuit.
Trump’s sustained deployment of guard members in Washington commenced last August, following an executive order declaring a crime emergency in the nation’s capital. This action led to heightened tensions with residents of the Democratic-leaning district. Hundreds of guard members are still deployed in the district almost a year later with no definitive end in view.
—
Read More US Political News