September 5, 2025
Trump orders removal of 44-year peace vigil after reporter complains it's an "eyesore"
Four decades of peaceful protest dies because reporter didn't like the view
🤝Civic Action📜Constitutional Law✊Civil Rights
President Trump ordered the immediate removal of the White House Peace Vigil on September 5, 2025, after conservative reporter Brian Glenn from Real America's Voice called the 44-year protest an "eyesore."
Trump destroyed the vigil that activist Philipos Melaku-Bello established June 3, 1981, calling for nuclear disarmament. The protest was America's longest continuous political demonstration, maintained 24/7 with rotating volunteers.
Trump ordered the immediate removal of the White House Peace Vigil September 5, 2025, after a conservative reporter called it an eyesore
The peace vigil was established in June 1981 by activist William Thomas, recognized as the longest continuous political protest in U.S. history
Philipos Melaku-Bello, 63, maintains the vigil 24/7 with rotating volunteers calling for nuclear disarmament
The vigil survived seven presidents and various wars until Trump learned about it during an Oval Office interview
Rep. 
Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) wrote to the Interior Department in May 2025 demanding a vigil review and removal
The vigil is located in Lafayette Square across from the White House, visible from the North Lawn where dignitaries arrive
Protest signs read Ban All Nuclear Weapons or Have a Nice Doomsday and War is not the answer
The First Amendment requires the vigil be continuously manned to maintain legal status as a political demonstration
🤝Civic Action📜Constitutional Law✊Civil Rights
People, bills, and sources
Donald Trump
President of the United States
Philipos Melaku-Bello
Peace Vigil Keeper
Jeff Van Drew
Republican Representative from New Jersey
Doug Burgum
Interior Secretary
What You Can Do
1
Contact ACLU at aclu.org to support legal defense of peaceful assembly and protest rights
2
Call Congress at 202-224-3121 demanding protection for First Amendment peaceful assembly rights
3
Support National Lawyers Guild at nlg.org defending protesters against government suppression
4
Join First Amendment Foundation at firstamendmentfoundation.org protecting free speech rights
5
Contact your representatives opposing executive overreach against constitutional protest rights
6
Donate to legal defense funds protecting activists exercising First Amendment rights peacefully