Donald Trump commands removal of 44-year-old peace protest on White House's doorstep
In a surprising turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the removal of the White House Peace Vigil, a long-standing symbol of peace and global disarmament located near the president's residence.
The White House Peace Vigil, a 44-year-old tent manned around the clock, has been a fixture in Lafayette Park, a park managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The tent is flanked by various anti-war placards and has been the site of continuous protest since its inception.
On Friday night, police were seen talking to demonstrators near the vigil, leading to speculation about its future. The NPS stipulates that the tent must be manned at all times to remain standing, and it appears that the demonstrators were ensuring its continuous presence.
Trump, in a recent statement, declared, "Take it down, today, right now." However, it seems the vigil-keepers have no intention of complying. Connie Picciotto, the original vigil-keeper, vowed to never give up when she saw the tent had been removed in 2013. Since then, the mantle has been passed to Brian Terrell, who has maintained the Peace Vigil near the White House since 2016.
The White House Peace Vigil has been described as an "eyesore" by some, with a reporter from the conservative outlet Real America's Voice and Representative Jeff Van Drew making such remarks earlier this year. However, its supporters argue that the vigil serves as a powerful reminder of the need for peace and disarmament.
Interestingly, Trump claimed he hadn't heard of the White House Peace Vigil before being asked about it. This assertion has been met with scepticism, given the vigil's prominent location and long history.
In 2013, the White House Peace Vigil was briefly taken down by park police when it was found abandoned. However, after public outcry, it was allowed to stand again a few hours later. It remains to be seen how this latest attempt to remove the vigil will unfold.
As the situation develops, protesters and supporters of the White House Peace Vigil are vowing to stand their ground, determined to keep the symbol of peace alive and visible. The future of the White House Peace Vigil hangs in the balance, with tensions running high and the eyes of the nation watching.
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