Mon. May 3, 2010
Washington, DC -
Howard Dean, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and Lt. Dan Choi led a rally in protest against "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," the 1993 law that prohibits gay troops from serving openly, as six more activists chained themselves to the White House fence Sunday.
With his shirt sleeves rolled up, no tie, Dean called out to the crowd: "The American people know this is the right thing to do."
"If somebody's brave enough to take a bullet for the U.S., they deserve full equality," he added.
The rally was held across the street from the White House, in Lafayette Park. After being arrested twice for chaining himself to the White House fence in protest of the policy, Choi has been barred by police from approaching the White House grounds.
"We are not afraid," he said. "We stood in the front lines for war; today we stand on the front lines for justice. Love is worth fighting for!"
Most of the speakers took exception to President Barack Obama's recent comments that he agrees with the advice of military leaders that legislative action should come after the Pentagon completes its internal review of how best to implement changes should Congress repeal the law.
"We will not stand idly by while you renege on your promise, Mr. President," Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, a group that lobbies for repeal of the law, said. "We will keep knocking on the door of the White House!"
"Separate is never equal," he added. "This is a civil rights issue!"
Tweeting from the protest, Kerry Eleveld, a reporter with gay glossy the Advocate, announced that "Choi served as a diversion" as "regular folks went to the [White House] fence and handcuffed themselves."
As protesters chanted "We will not, disappear. We'll remember, in November," police arrested the six activists after cutting them down from the fence.
It was the third time "Don't Ask" protesters have handcuffed themselves to the White House fence.
Allyson Robinson tweeted from the rally: "I've been crying so hard I'm going to look like a hot mess riding home on the Metro. So proud of this community today."
The rally was sponsored by the nascent gay rights group GetEqual led by lesbian activist Robin McGehee. The group was also behind a "Don't Ask" action that interrupted Obama as he spoke in California for fellow Democrat Senator Barbara Boxer and a House committee disruption urging movement on ENDA, an employment gay protections bill stuck in the committee.
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