- The District of Columbia has agreed to pay an undisclosed settlement to a resident who was detained by police for playing the “Imperial March” from Star Wars while following National Guard troops through Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia has agreed to pay an undisclosed settlement to a resident who was detained by police after playing the iconic “Imperial March” from Star Wars while following National Guard troops through the streets of Washington, D.C.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.), the settlement resolves claims against the District stemming from the September 2025 incident involving Sam O’Hara, who alleged his First Amendment rights were violated.
The agreement applies only to the actions of Metropolitan Police Department officers. The lawsuit remains ongoing against Ohio National Guard Sgt. Devon Beck, who is accused of calling D.C. police to stop O’Hara’s protest…