DC will pay $50,000 to man detained while protesting guard patrol with 'Star Wars' song, record says
The agreement covers attorney fees and costs, while O'Hara's claims against an Ohio National Guard member remain pending.
- The District of Columbia agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by Sam O'Hara, who accused police of illegally detaining him for playing Star Wars music while following National Guard troops.
- O'Hara protested President Donald Trump's 'crime emergency' declaration by playing 'The Imperial March' on his phone on September 11, 2025, prompting Sgt. Devon Beck, an Ohio National Guard member, to summon police.
- Police handcuffed O'Hara for 15 to 20 minutes before releasing him without charges, leading him to sue for violations of his First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights.
- The American Civil Liberties Union announced Friday that O'Hara reached a settlement with the District and four officers, though his lawsuit against Beck remains pending dismissal.
- National Guard levels in the District have surged to 4,600 ahead of Fourth of July events, while O'Hara stated he continues his Star Wars-inspired protests to this day, often using a portable JBL speaker.
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The Needle: Local Hero Plays Darth Vader Theme at National Guard and Gets Paid, Freedom 250’s MAGA Sponsors Get Big Contracts, SCOTUS Gives Trump Wins and Losses, Trump Admits to Election Meddling, and 100 Deported Venezuelans Are Missing
Local hero: When convicted felon and President Donald Trump sent the National Guard to march around D.C. last year, Sam O’Hara blasted “The Imperial March” (Darth Vader’s theme song) while following them. During one of the protests, an Ohio guardsman got so mad that he got D.C. police to handcuff O’Hara, who sued the government for violating his First Amendment rights and won. A settlement agreement obtained by the Associated Press from D.C.’s a…
Man wins $50K lawsuit after protesting, trolling national guard with Darth Vader theme song
The District of Columbia has agreed to a $50,000 settlement to resolve a lawsuit from a man who claimed police detained him for playing Darth Vader's theme song while following an Ohio National Guard patrol.
DC will pay $50,000 to man detained protesting guard patrol with 'Star Wars' song
A settlement document reveals the District of Columbia has agreed to pay $50,000 to resolve a lawsuit filed by a resident who accused police officers of illegally detaining him for following an Ohio National Guard patrol while playing Darth Vader’s…
DC Pays Protester Detained for Playing Darth Vader Theme
The District of Columbia has cut a check to the man who trolled National Guard patrols with Darth Vader's theme music. Sam O'Hara, a 35-year-old DC hospitality worker, has settled his lawsuit against the city and four police officers after he was detained in handcuffs for 15 to 20 minutes...
Sam O'Hara from the US capital, Washington, has reached a settlement with the city police, who arrested him for accompanying members of the US National Guard during a humorous protest by playing music from the movie Star Wars.
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