Trump Orders Removal of 40-Year White House Peace Vigil
Police cleared the iconic anti-nuclear protest site across from the White House, ending one of the nation’s longest-running demonstrations.
📝 Story
On direct orders from former President Donald Trump, police have dismantled the longstanding peace vigil outside the White House — a site that had stood for over 40 years as a symbol of anti-nuclear activism and continuous protest.
The vigil, located in Lafayette Square, was first established in 1981 by activists calling for nuclear disarmament. Over the decades, it became a landmark for free speech and peaceful protest, weathering multiple administrations while serving as a gathering place for demonstrators and tourists alike.
Trump officials argued the removal was necessary for “security and order,” but critics blasted the move as an authoritarian attempt to silence dissent. Witnesses described police officers dismantling tents, placards, and banners in the early hours of the morning.
Civil rights groups condemned the decision, warning it undermines the First Amendment and erases a historic expression of public conscience. Activists vowed to return, saying the vigil’s spirit “cannot be torn down.”
📊 Key Details
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Action Taken | Police dismantled White House peace vigil |
| Who Ordered It | Donald Trump |
| Location | Lafayette Square, across from the White House |
| Vigil History | Established 1981, continuous protest against nuclear weapons and war |
| Government Rationale | Security and order |
| Critics’ Response | Attack on free speech and historic symbol of peaceful protest |
🎤 Reactions
- Trump Supporters: Defended the move as restoring order near the White House.
- Civil Rights Groups: Called it an unconstitutional attack on peaceful dissent.
- Activists: Vowed to rebuild, saying the vigil is “bigger than Trump or any president.”
- Public Sentiment: Outrage spread on social media, with many lamenting the loss of a historic protest site.
📺 Suggested Broadcast Script (25 seconds)
“Police have dismantled the decades-old peace vigil outside the White House, following direct orders from Donald Trump. The vigil, which began in 1981 as an anti-nuclear protest, had become one of the nation’s longest-running demonstrations. While the Trump team says the removal was about security, critics call it a blatant attack on free speech and a symbol of silenced dissent.”
🏷️ Tags / Focus Key Phrase
- Focus key phrase: Trump orders removal White House peace vigil
- Slug:
trump-orders-removal-white-house-peace-vigil - Tags: Donald Trump, White House, Peace Vigil, Protest, Free Speech, Civil Rights, Lafayette Square
