D.C. Settles Lawsuit Over Arrest of Protester Who Played ‘Imperial March’ at National Guard Demonstration

The District of Columbia agreed to settle a lawsuit on Thursday, paying an undisclosed sum to resolve claims that city police wrongfully arrested a man who was protesting the deployment of National Guard troops in the nation’s capital.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington filed a notice in federal court stating that city officials reached the settlement with Sam O’Hara, 35, in exchange for dismissal from the lawsuit. According to ACLU legal director Scott Michelman, the settlement was a substantial amount that O’Hara was pleased with, though the exact figure was not disclosed to protect his privacy.

Michelman emphasized that the settlement underscored First Amendment protections for government criticism, noting that officials may disapprove of speech but cannot legally punish individuals for it. The district attorney general’s office, which represents the city in court, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

O’Hara had been conducting demonstrations for nearly 10 months, filming National Guard troops from a distance while playing “Imperial March,” the theme from “Star Wars” associated with Darth Vader. His protest activities, including a video posted to TikTok, had garnered millions of views. On September 11, during an incident in a Washington neighborhood, O’Hara played the song as several Guard members, including Sgt. Devon Beck of the Ohio National Guard, patrolled nearby. According to the lawsuit, Sgt. Beck threatened to have police “handle” O’Hara if he continued following the troops. Officers subsequently handcuffed O’Hara and removed him from the scene, though he was released without charges.

The Metropolitan Police Department referred the incident to its Internal Affairs Bureau, but it remains unclear whether the three officers named in the suit—Tiffany Brown, Edward Reyes-Benigno, and Alfonso Lopez Martinez—faced disciplinary action. The department stated that the settlement did not require changes to policy, adding that it recognizes the importance of protecting First Amendment rights while balancing public safety.

O’Hara previously reached a settlement agreement in principle with the city in February, and the case against the police officers was partially stayed while terms were finalized. However, his unrelated case against Sgt. Beck, who is being defended by federal Justice Department attorneys, remains active.

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