Lawsuit: D.C. man detained for playing "Star Wars" song at National Guard

[BomSquad]

I'm generally not a fan of stunt protesting, but in this case, I think he was creative and according to the article, he wasn't being a deliberate nuisance to everyone around him.

Lawsuit: D.C. man detained for playing "Star Wars" song at National Guard
 

Driving the news: After Trump sent in the National Guard from D.C. and states around the U.S. as part of his crime crackdown, O'Hara started protesting the deployment by playing "The Imperial March" song from "The Empire Strikes Back," the second film in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, while filming National Guard troops on the city's streets.

• Most Guard members "ignored" O'Hara and "a few smiled or laughed" at his actions and he uploaded the videos TikTok, where they were viewed "millions" of times, per the suit.
  

Yes, but: The Ohio guardsman "was not amused by this satire" and "threatened to call D.C. police officers to 'handle' the protester if he persisted" when the incident took place on Sept. 11, the ACLU attorneys allege in their complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court of Colombia.

• The complaint claims O'Hara was using his phone "and sometimes a small speaker, he played The Imperial March as he walked, keeping the music at a volume that was audible but not blaring."
  

I must say, I think his choice of protest style really matched his views on what was happening on the streets and I think it got his point across with a minimum of disruption to those around him (from what I can see from the article, I haven't watched his TikTok videos which might show a different story).

[ReturnofBroccoli]

I'm generally not a fan of stunt protesting, but in this case, I think he was creative and according to the article, he wasn't being a deliberate nuisance to everyone around him.

Lawsuit: D.C. man detained for playing "Star Wars" song at National Guard
 

I must say, I think his choice of protest style really matched his views on what was happening on the streets and I think it got his point across with a minimum of disruption to those around him (from what I can see from the article, I haven't watched his TikTok videos which might show a different story).

This is probably the funniest thing Ive heard happen in awhile. Would have been funnier if one of the National guardsmen started force choking him.

[Halfswede]

I'm not sure what he can sue for.  While it's poor optics, being 'detained' isn't much of a cause. If he was abused during detention, then that's different, but you can be 'detained' (i.e. stopped and questioned) without probable cause.

[Moon68]

Well, D.C. is a limited stop and identify area.

Washington D.C. stop and identify statute

You can be stopped and asked to ID and you "must" provide your real name and address, however, you do not have to provide a physical ID.

[UltraBudgie]

Well, D.C. is a limited stop and identify area.

Washington D.C. stop and identify statute

You can be stopped and asked to ID and you "must" provide your real name and address, however, you do not have to provide a physical ID.

My understanding is that in the U.S. you must provide ID to police officers, if they request it. Is that not true everywhere?

Anyway, here is an amusing protest/counterprotest tactic: play Disney-owned songs in the background when people are filming, so it gets in their audio track. Then they can't post videos to YouTube without 100 bloodthirsty IP lawyers descend in a screaming hoard upon them.

[Moon68]

My understanding is that in the U.S. you must provide ID to police officers, if they request it. Is that not true everywhere?

Anyway, here is an amusing protest/counterprotest tactic: play Disney-owned songs in the background when people are filming, so it gets in their audio track. Then they can't post videos to YouTube without 100 bloodthirsty IP lawyers descend in a screaming hoard upon them.

It is not true. There are 26 States that have stop and ID. Missouri's isn't a Sate requirement as it is only for Kansas City. DC, being a territory, abides by the mayor's statute.

Stop and ID States

[Vermilion]

My understanding is that in the U.S. you must provide ID to police officers, if they request it. Is that not true everywhere?

Anyway, here is an amusing protest/counterprotest tactic: play Disney-owned songs in the background when people are filming, so it gets in their audio track. Then they can't post videos to YouTube without 100 bloodthirsty IP lawyers descend in a screaming hoard upon them.

Antifa has been doing just that recently in Portland while TommyBoi has been over there counter protesting.
He posts live on X so it doesn’t work but it does stop the other YouTube channels who broadcast his feed.
If you haven’t seen video of him out there you should check it out.
It’s highly entertaining.

[RichardHurt]

My understanding is that in the U.S. you must provide ID to police officers, if they request it. Is that not true everywhere?

Anyway, here is an amusing protest/counterprotest tactic: play Disney-owned songs in the background when people are filming, so it gets in their audio track. Then they can't post videos to YouTube without 100 bloodthirsty IP lawyers descend in a screaming hoard upon them.

I'm not sure about that. The only time I provide anything to the police is if it's a routine traffic stop. Which has only happened to me one time.
I have been asked to provide identification on a multitude of occasions but I just ask to see their badge number and the reason for them asking me to identify myself. They immediately stop and say have a good evening.
I have a huge problem with authority if anyone hasn't noticed lol

[David64]

My understanding is that in the U.S. you must provide ID to police officers, if they request it. Is that not true everywhere?

No.

My State is not a "stop and ID" state. They must have reasonable, articulable suspicion of a crime that has been committed, about to be committed or they have reason to believe in the process of being committed to ask for ID. The ONLY exception is during a traffic stop and you are only required to provide a license, insurance and registration of the vehicle. Any other questions, such as "Where are you coming from" or Where are you going" is completely outside the purview of the stop. In other words, you can tell them "None of your business" and there's nothing they can do about it.

THAT is why I have cameras in all my vehicles.

[imitator]

The Empire really doesn’t like being reminded it has a theme song...