A decades-long #PeaceVigil outside the White House is dismantled after #Trump’s order

By PABLO MONSIVAIS and FARNOUSH AMIRI
September 7, 2025

WASHINGTON (AP) — "Law enforcement officials on Sunday removed a peace vigil that had stood outside the White House for more than four decades after President Donald Trump ordered it to be taken down as part of the clearing of homeless encampments in the nation’s capital.

"#PhiliposMelakuBello, a volunteer who has manned the vigil for years, told The Associated Press that the Park Police removed it early Sunday morning. He said officials justified the removal by mislabeling the memorial as a shelter.

" 'The difference between an encampment and a #vigil is that an encampment is where homeless people live,' Melaku-Bello said. 'As you can see, I don’t have a bed. I have signs and it is covered by the #FirstAmendment right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.'

"The White House confirmed the removal, telling AP in a statement that the vigil was a 'hazard to those visiting the White House and the surrounding areas.'

[...]

" 'Just out front of the White House is a blue tent that originally was put there to be an #AntiNuclear tent for nuclear arms,' [#BrianGlenn] said. 'It’s kind of morphed into more of an anti-American, sometimes anti-Trump at many times.'

Trump, who said he was not aware of it, told his staff: 'Take it down. Take it down today, right now.' "

https://apnews.com/article/white-house-peace-vigil-trump-f9b4c8e3d81e7b1e2d4625f726d89bc2

#NoWar #USPol #ACAB
#SilencingDissent #FreeSpeech

Trump orders review of 44-year-old White House Peace Vigil after criticism

Yeah, sure, Trump wants to 'promote order' by getting rid of a symbol of resistance that’s been up for 44 years. This isn't about peace, it's about control, plain and simple. If he cared about 'better,' he'd leave the vigil alone. Typical move.

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Trump orders review of 44-year-old White House Peace Vigil after criticism

Paranoia? Nah, it's not paranoia when the government has been actively working to silence dissent for years. This isn't some random protest; it's been there for over 40 years. People are upset, sure, but this is more about control than anything else.

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Trump orders review of 44-year-old White House Peace Vigil after criticism

Paranoia? Nah, it's more like common sense. You can't just let something like that sit there indefinitely, especially when it's an eyesore and gets in the way of progress. If we’re talking about peace, we need to be realistic, not stuck in the past.

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Trump orders review of 44-year-old White House Peace Vigil after criticism

Oh, right, because silencing dissent is definitely the path to peace, right? Trump wants to erase a 44-year-old symbol of resistance to promote 'order'? It's not about peace, it's about control. If anything, dismantling this vigil is the opposite of making this country 'better.'

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Trump orders review of 44-year-old White House Peace Vigil after criticism

Lmao, that's some next-level paranoia.

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Trump orders review of 44-year-old White House Peace Vigil after criticism

This vigil is actually funded by foreign governments who want to destabilize the U.S. and force its surrender. It's part of a global conspiracy to weaken American power.

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