D.C. Police Agree To Compensate District Resident Handcuffed for Playing Star Wars “Imperial March” Theme Near National Guard Troops

ACLU-D.C. Free Speech Case on Behalf of Protestor Will Continue Against Ohio National Guard Sergeant

June 26, 2026 9:00 am

Media Contact

[email protected]

WASHINGTON – The District of Columbia has agreed to pay to settle a First Amendment lawsuit, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia (ACLU-D.C.), on behalf of Sam O’Hara, a D.C. resident who was handcuffed for playing the "Imperial March" from Star Wars while walking behind National Guard troops.

This settlement only applies to the conduct of D.C. police officers, and the case continues against Ohio National Guard Sgt. Devon Beck, who summoned D.C. police to end Mr. O’Hara’s constitutionally protected act of protest.

"The government's efforts to silence me ultimately backfired and brought more attention to the unjust deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C.,” said Sam O’Hara, plaintiff in the case. “This settlement serves as a reminder that constitutional freedoms are worth defending, especially when those in power would prefer we stay quiet.”

After President Trump deployed National Guard troops to patrol the District of Columbia in August 2025, O’Hara began his creative form of protest, following troops while playing the Imperial March, the song that plays when Darth Vader and stormtroopers are on screen in Star Wars films, and recording his action. Sgt. Beck did not take kindly to O’Hara’s actions when they encountered each other on September 11, 2025, near the intersection of 14th and Q Streets NW. After Beck summoned D.C. police officers to “handle” him, O’Hara was handcuffed and detained for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.

“Our right to free speech grants us the freedom to criticize the government. Government officials don’t have to like it, but they can’t punish someone for their speech,” said Scott Michelman, legal director at the ACLU-D.C., which represents O’Hara. “This episode is another demonstration of the folly of Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to patrol D.C. We don’t need them here, intimidating residents and violating their constitutional rights.”

The agreement announced today releases all District of Columbia defendants from the case in exchange for compensation paid to O’Hara.

Court Case
Jun 25, 2026
Placeholder image
  • Freedom of Speech and Association|
  • +1 Issue

O’Hara v. Beck – Defending the Right To Protest the National Guard

In Star Wars, the Imperial March is the music that plays when Darth Vader and his storm troopers enter the scene. It’s also the soundtrack of Sam...

Related Content

Court Case
Jun 25, 2026
Placeholder image
  • Freedom of Speech and Association|
  • +1 Issue

O’Hara v. Beck – Defending the Right To Protest the National Guard

In Star Wars, the Imperial March is the music that plays when Darth Vader and his storm troopers enter the scene. It’s also the soundtrack of Sam O’Hara’s protest against the National Guard’s presence in D.C. National Guard troops arrived in the District after President Donald Trump deployed them to support local police—an act that Mr. O’Hara views as a violation of centuries-old norms against militarizing domestic law enforcement and a threat to individual freedom. To highlight the surreal danger of the deployment, Mr. O’Hara began walking behind Guard members when he saw them in the community, playing The Imperial March on his phone, and recording. Most community members got the point of the protest, and so did several members of the Guard, who either smiled or laughed in response. Ohio National Guard Sgt. Devon Beck, however, was not amused by the satire. He threatened to call MPD if Mr. O’Hara didn’t stop his protest. When Mr. O’Hara persisted, Sgt. Beck recruited MPD officers to the scene, and the officers proceeded to detain and handcuff Mr. O’Hara, ending his demonstration. The First and Fourth Amendments (not to mention D.C. law) bar government officials from detaining people just because of their speech. Mr. O’Hara is suing to vindicate that principle. Sgt. Beck moved to dismiss the claims against him, arguing among other things that he is entitled to the defense of qualified immunity because he did not violate rights that were "clearly established." That motion remains pending. Meanwhile, in June 2026, the remaining defendants — the D.C. government and its officers — agreed to compensate Mr. O'Hara in exchange for dismissal of the claims against them. Press Release