Pietrangelo and Choi’s lawyers jointly released a memo with a rationale for the move:

“[Choi and Pietrangelo] seek to compel the testimony of President Barack Obama who has, on several occasions as President and Commander in Chief (and previously as a Senator and Presidential Candidate) called on the LGBT community to “pressure” him to change the DADT law and policy, thus allowing gay servicemembers to serve their country openly and honorably.

“The subpoena of the President is necessary for the defense to prove that Defendants were following and obeying lawful orders or directives by their President and Commander in Chief, and were therefore under an obligation and authority to act as they did in order to pressure him – in a non-violent, visible way – on this important public issue. In addition, these statements support the contention that Defendants were acting out of necessity, in order to prevent discrimination and greater harm to gay servicemembers now serving.”

The Process Server was apparently turned away at the White House gate. Both lawyers have contacted White House legal counsel’s office for advice on how to proceed.

Don’t expect to see the President at a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” trial of the Century anytime soon. It would likely take an act of the widely apathetic Congress to force the President to testify. Still, the prospect of calling the president in as a witness is slightly delicious. I think next time I’m in court for a ticket, I’m calling the President in as a Defense witness, and have my charges dismissed on grounds of insanity.

Alan Bounville

QueerRising founder Alan Bounville (who I last week mistakenly identified during the last incident as getting arrested at McCain’s office) and other activists forced the Park Service to call the Paddy Wagon out to the White House once again on Sunday. During an anti-Dont’-Ask-Don’t-Tell rally at the White House attended by, among others, former arrestee Dan Choi, former Democratic Presidential candidate Howard Dean, and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network President Aubrey Sarvis; Bounville and six other activists joined the pantheon of protesters who have chained themselves to White House in recent weeks over the law.

This came just days after Secretary of Defense Robert Gates asked Congress to delay repealing the military’s homophobic hiring practice while the Pentagon “studies” the 17 year old law.

Upon his release, Bounville, pictured top from a previous PWG (Protesting While Gay) arrest from this winter, said the following in a video posted exclusively up at Pam’s House Blend:

If someone is thinking this is not how social justice change actually happens, I would suggest that they look back and review history to see that the people themselves have to get involved in this way in order for the system to change…no excuses, no reasons any more (not to).

Other chained protesters included Anne Tischer, Nora Camp, Natasha Dillon, Iana DiBona, Mark Reed, and Ian Goldin. Mark was one of the early board members of the National Equality March, and has worked a lot with GetEQUAL before.

Meanwhile, Prahlad Jani–the Indian man who hasn’t eaten for 70 years–could soon be giving GetEQUAL, EAA, H.E.R.O. and QueerRising some advice on hunger striking!

yogi

Choi in charge--fiercely facing the media!

Lt. Dan Choi and Cpt. Jim Pietrangel–already awaiting a trial for their “not-guilty” plea stemming from the mid-March White House action where they chained themselves to the White House fence the first time–have had their trials for both counts now rescheduled for July 14.

According to Chris Geidner from the Washington DC Metro Weekly:

”I remember these two gentlemen,” D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Richard Ringell said. ”Mr Choi, he saluted me. It’s the only time I’ve been saluted.”

The judge had issued a “stay-away” order to the new four in effect until their fine was paid (which GetEqual took care of right away) barring them from nearing the White House grounds. However, when the judge prepared to issue a similar order to Choi and Pietrangelo, their lawyers objected, and after meeting with the prosecutors, a less constraining “stay-away” order was accepted, that included exceptions if Lt. Choi or Capt. Pietrangelo were invited to the White House.

In related content, Autostraddle–which is really the lesbian equivalent to the Feast of Fun blog–asks “Is There a ‘Right Way’ to Be an Activist?”

(h/t the spunky Law Dork, Mr. Chris Geidner via Metro Weekly)

Our GetEqual super-activists were joined at the fence by Petty Officer Larry Whitt, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Cadet Mara Boyd, and Cpl. Evelyn Thomas–all handcuffed. That’s right, Autumn Sandeen, the super trans-activist of Pam’s House Blend fame. They were all removed and arrested, and according to a tweet from GetEqual’s Twitter account, they will be arraigned at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

One of the most shocking aspects of the story is that the mainstream media showed up to cover the protest from Layfayete Park, which faces the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, but the White House ordered the park closed, and the media were asked to leave.

White House Protest Video 1

White House Protest Video 2

Video of media getting escorted from Lafayete Park

h/t gay.americablog.com

Some photos also via Pam’s House Blend… Go AUTUMN!

Marc always is telling me that if someone wants to play Truth or Dare with you, chances are they want to get you naked for some hot lovin’.

Our pal Gerry here (pictured on the right) says he only likes group sex when he’s single, and loves monogamy when he’s in a relationship. It’s all or none. Jerry is an expert on getting two guys to go home from a bar with him.

But if bars aren’t your thing, how do you find two other hot guys to roll in the hay with? How do you keep people’s feelings from getting hurt? How do you make the most of the experience?

We’re joined by two fabulous Chicago gay Puerto Rican artists, Carlos Torres and Jerry Peréz. They are Other Ricans, a term used to identify Puerto Ricans living outside of the island.

Carlos is holding a viewing party for “A Sealed Fate” a bold new documentary about the plight of baby seals at the Silver Room in Chicago on Wednesday December 3. The documentary follows Nigel Barker of “America’s Next Top Model” as he witnesses the hunt for the the baby seal pelts.

Gerry is showing his photography work at Ache, Gigi Deluxe’s big art event in Pilsen this Friday November 14th at “2nd floor Gallery” in the heart of Pilsen.

President Elect Barack Obama and first lady to be Michelle made a historic visit to the earlier this week White House, hanging out with the Bushes and measuring for new drapes.

But will disgruntled Republican steal all the O’s from the computer keyboards before they leave like the Clinton staff did with the “W” when Bush came into office? You heard it here first folks.

Sometimes I feel like I’m opening up a Pandora’s box of discord by planting the idea out there, ripe for bitter Republicans to take a bite.

Now with 50% more knowledgability- Feast of Fools.

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