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DeWine, Mike

Lawsuit Filed Against Ohio National Guard Member and Police Officers over Detention of Man Playing "The Imperial March"

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Sam O'Hara, a 35-year-old Washington, D.C., resident, filed a lawsuit against a member of the Ohio National Guard and several police officers on October 23, alleging that his First Amendment rights were violated when he was detained at a September protest in the nation's capital. O'Hara claims that he was peacefully protesting the presence of National Guard members, which was ordered by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on August 16, by playing "The Imperial March" on his phone while recording the encounters and posting them on TikTok. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of suppressing speech, retaliating, and using excessive force, among other claims.

Key Takeaways:

  • The lawsuit was filed on October 23 by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Sam O'Hara, who was detained on September 11 for playing "The Imperial March" while protesting the presence of National Guard members.
  • O'Hara claims that he was exercising his First Amendment right to free speech and peaceful protest by playing the music and recording the interactions.
  • The lawsuit accuses Ohio National Guard member Sgt. Devon Beck and four police officers of suppressing his speech, retaliating, and using excessive force.
  • O'Hara seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, as well as his legal fees.
  • The lawsuit references the logic behind DeWine's decision to send members of the Ohio National Guard to Washington, D.C., noting that "Gov. DeWine has retained control over the Ohio Guard members operating in the District."
  • O'Hara's detention lasted around 15-20 minutes before he was released without charges.
  • The ACLU has issued a statement defending O'Hara's right to play "The Imperial March" and criticizing the government's decision to deploy troops onto American streets.

Statistics:

  • 250 National Guard members were deployed from Ohio to Washington, D.C. on August 16 at the request of the Secretary of the Army.
  • 35-year-old Sam O'Hara was the man detained on September 11 for playing "The Imperial March".
  • The lawsuit claims that O'Hara frequently protested the presence of National Guard members, with some instances involving him playing the music and recording the interactions.
  • 15-20 minutes is the approximate duration of O'Hara's detention before being released without charges.

Sources:

  • The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network
  • ACLU statement by Sam O'Hara
  • ACLU statement by Michael Perloff, senior staff attorney
  • United States District Court for the District of Columbia (lawsuit)

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