By BTL staff
Gay rights activsit Lt. Dan Choi faces federal charges for protesting "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" at the White House. He may see 6 months in prison or a $5,000 fine for an infraction of Parks and Wildlife federal regulations. His trial began Monday, Aug. 29.
On Nov. 14, 2010 Choi and 12 others, including prominent activists from the LGBT community and combat veterans, handcuffed themselves to the White House fence while loudly chanting "I am somebody," "We do this for you" and "President Obama, Silent Homophobia." Verbal orders by ranking U.S. Park Police Lieutenant Robert LaChance cited a regulation often used to move protestors away from the White House sidewalk. LaChance and other police officers have been subpoenaed by Choi's legal team.
Mr. Robert J. Feldman, a criminal defense attorney from New York City, serves as lead counsel for Choi, and is joined by Mr. Norm Kent of South Florida and Mr. Christopher Lynn, a former New York City traffic commissioner. All lawyers on the team are gay, and several law school students have volunteered their time with this case.
"Not only was the order unlawful and unconstitutional," Kent said, "it was impossible for Dan to obey the order, as he did not have the key to unlock himself. The police made a big boo-boo in arresting Dan."
