DoomsdaysCWA 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
Decades-long peace vigil outside White House is dismantled
Law enforcement officials have 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. Philipos Melaku-Bello, a volunteer who has manned the vigil for years, told The Associated Press that the Park Police removed it early Sunday morning, He says officials justified the removal by mislabeling the memorial as a shelter. The White House confirmed the removal, telling AP in a statement that it was a “hazard to those visiting the White House and the surrounding areas.”
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