The District of Columbia has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by a protester who was arrested after playing Darth Vader's theme song from "Star Wars" on his cellphone while following an Ohio National Guard patrol. The protester, Sam O'Hara, will receive $50,000 as part of the settlement, which stems from allegations of unlawful detention and excessive force. O'Hara had been walking behind National Guard troops and playing the song as a form of satire, aimed at the deployment of troops in the city's neighborhoods. The settlement brings an end to the lawsuit, which had sought compensatory and punitive damages.
O'Hara has expressed mixed feelings about the settlement, stating that he is satisfied with the outcome but believes that those responsible for violating his constitutional rights should be held accountable. He suggested that the individuals who allegedly violated his rights should be penalized, rather than taxpayers footing the bill. O'Hara's protest was a unique form of expression, using the iconic "Star Wars" theme to convey his message about the deployment of National Guard troops in the city.
The incident that led to the lawsuit occurred on September 11, 2025, when O'Hara walked behind several National Guard troops and played "The Imperial March" from "Star Wars" on his phone. He was subsequently stopped by police, handcuffed, and detained for 15 to 20 minutes before being released without charges. O'Hara alleged that his protest was aimed at the deployment of National Guard troops, which had been criticized by some residents as an overreach of federal authority.
The lawsuit had alleged that the defendants, including four Metropolitan Police Department officers and an Ohio National Guard member, had violated O'Hara's First and Fourth Amendment rights. The suit had sought damages for claims including false imprisonment, battery, and constitutional retaliation. The settlement of $50,000 will be paid to O'Hara, bringing an end to the lawsuit and providing some measure of closure for the protester.
The deployment of National Guard troops in the city had been a contentious issue, with some residents criticizing the move as an overreach of federal authority. The increased federal presence had heightened tensions in the city, particularly among those who felt that the deployment was unnecessary and excessive. O'Hara's protest, though unorthodox, had been a manifestation of these tensions and a form of expression that highlighted the concerns of some residents.
