Gay US Veteran Who Fought Military Ban Still On Trial

Gay US veteran who fought military ban still on trial

Federal prosecutors pursue "Don't Ask Don't Tell" campaigner

Lt Dan Choi faces 6 months jail for 2010 peaceful protest

Peter Tatchell to attend trial & speak at Washington DC rally

London & Washington - 25 March 2013

This Thursday, 28 March, at 9am in the US District Court, Washington DC, gay Army Lieutenant Dan Choi, Arabic Linguist, West Point Graduate and Iraq War Veteran, stands trial for past protests against the since repealed anti-gay military policy "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (DADT).

In 2010 Choi was dismissed from the US Army National Guard after coming out as gay on the Rachel Maddow TV show. He was then billed by the US Defense Department for $2,500 for failing to fulfil his military contract. Chio is refusing to pay.

To protest against his dismissal, and against President Obama’s failure to push for the repeal of DADT, Choi handcuffed himself to the White House fence three times in 2010. These protests help force the issue of DADT up the political agenda at a time when the Oval Office and Congress were dragging their heels on repeal.

Choi explained why he used direct action methods:

“We knew that presidential leadership was critical to civil rights and military service. Our commander in chief finally led only after we used the same tactics of Alice Paul, the Suffragettes, African American civil rights protestors, and many other identity groups that have won their equality through sacrifice.”

Three years after Choi’s handcuffing protests, the US Federal Attorney’s Office refuses to dismiss the charges against him. The prosecution is being pursued by Assistant US Attorney, Angela S. George.

Generally, White House protestors are arrested and required to pay $100 fine to a municipal court, the equivalent of a parking ticket in the District of Columbia. Instead, in this case, the US Attorney’s Office is invoking a seldom-used federal level criminal charge called "Failure to Obey".

Lt Choi retorts:

“The charge is baseless. It assumes traffic was blocked, but there is no traffic to block on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The main reason for this charge is to prevent me from re-joining the military, to paint me as simply disobedient. It prevents my rejoining (the military) in a vindictive waste of resources. I stand trial to assert my rights and the rights of all to be treated equally under the law.”

Choi’s case is the first time since anti-Iraq war protester Cindy Sheehan was prosecuted, that a protestor has been tried federally for demonstrating at the White House.

National Security Agency whistleblower, Navy and Air Force veteran Thomas Drake remarked: "This is yet another sad example of the federal government overstepping their bounds against critics they do not like."

The trial Judge, John M. Facciola, has already made a prima facie finding for "vindictive prosecution" in Lt. Choi’s case, prompting the prosecution to make legal history by pausing the trial for two years and embroiling Lt. Choi in a Writ of Mandamus fight.

Until this trial, such a radical and rarely used writ has never been granted in the middle of criminal proceedings. The writ orders the trial judge not to hear evidence concerning the selective prosecution and political targeting of the defendant.

Lt. Choi, undeterred, remarked: "On Thursday I make my full argument for history to hear."

He will be supported by many friends and fellow activists in court on Thursday morning.

London-based international human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, will be attending Dan Choi's trial as a supporter and observer.

Tatchell said:

"This looks like a petty, vindictive prosecution. Lt Choi was arrested for protesting peacefully against a homophobic military policy that is now repealed. He helped draw public attention to a grave injustice and contributed to it being ended. Dan is a human rights hero. It makes no sense to continue with his trial. This prosecution is morally wrong and a waste of taxpayers’ dollars.

"Of all the many people arrested for chaining themselves to the White House railings, why is only Dan Choi is facing a federal charge and up to six months in prison? This violates the principle of equality for everyone before the law. It looks like Lt Choi is being singled out for selective prosecution; possibly motivated by a desire to silence a person who is seen as a political embarrassment to the White House.”

Gold Star Mother Cindy Sheehan, a long time peace activist, will also attend Thursday’s trial. Sheehan said:

"Dan Choi served his country and stood up for something bigger when he got home - and they still prosecute him for making a difference. This is insane."

Lt. Choi will represent himself in court. He has often proceeded his cases without lawyers. In his six arrests to date, the government lost five prosecutions but this federal criminal trial carries the harshest punishment: six months in a federal prison.

However, according to Lt. Choi, he has already suffered the greatest punishment of all: being prevented from reinstatement in the US Army.

Undeterred, he still intends to reenlist once this trial is finished:

"Serving in the military taught me certain skills and while I never wanted to be an activist, when I did speak up I learned what my military service was all about. Being a soldier makes me a better activist, and being an activist makes me a better soldier,” said Choi.

Supporters will attend a rally outside the courthouse at 8am this Thursday, evoking the spirit of non-violent direct action. The prosecutor has been invited to attend.

Peter Tatchell and others will speak at the rally in Choi’s defence.

Watch this video interview with Lt Choi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qfnbp7taDHY&feature=youtu.be

Further information:
www.PeterTatchellFoundation.org

ENDS

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