A partial settlement has been reached in a First Amendment lawsuit filed by a Washington, D.C. man, Sam O’Hara, who was detained after protesting National Guard troops by playing the 'Imperial March' from 'Star Wars' behind them last year. The District of Columbia agreed to resolve claims against Metropolitan Police Department officers, while the lawsuit against Ohio National Guard Sgt. Devon Beck will continue, as he allegedly called the police to intervene in the protest.
O’Hara stated, 'The government’s efforts to silence me ultimately backfired and brought more attention to the unjust deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C.' The lawsuit, filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of the District of Columbia, claims O’Hara was handcuffed and detained after peacefully following the troops while playing the music associated with the character Darth Vader.
Scott Michelman, legal director of the ACLU of the District of Columbia, emphasized the importance of free speech, stating, 'Our right to free speech grants us the freedom to criticize the government.' After the settlement, the ACLU noted that the total amount would not be disclosed, but described it as significant and stated that O’Hara was pleased with the outcome. The complaint alleges that O’Hara's protest began after President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to patrol Washington in August 2025. The incident in question occurred on September 11, 2025, near 14th and Q streets NW, where Beck warned O’Hara that police would be called if he continued his actions, leading to O’Hara's detention for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
The ACLU claims that the detention violated O’Hara’s First and Fourth Amendment rights, as well as D.C. law against false arrest. The ACLU and the D.C. attorney general’s office did not respond to requests for comment.