Washington City Settles Lawsuit with Protester Handcuffed for Playing ‘Imperial March’ Near National Guard

Sam O’Hara staged a protest in Washington, D.C., against the deployment of National Guard troops. During the demonstration, he played the “Imperial March,” the iconic theme from the Star Wars saga. City police officers responded by handcuffing O’Hara. O’Hara subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging violations of his rights. The city reached a settlement to resolve the case. The agreement ends the legal dispute without admission of wrongdoing. The incident highlights tensions surrounding military presence in the capital. Observers note the case may influence how authorities handle future protests.