Within hours of Lt. Dan Choi's arrest in the nation's capitol on Thursday, March 18, local protests are already planned for Friday, March 19.
The outspoken opponent of the U.S. military's ban on gays attended a Human Rights Rally earlier in the day and announced to the crowd that he was going to the White House to chain himself to the gates.
Early reports say that Choi invited comedian Kathy Grifin and HRC president Joe Salmonese to join him. The two did not accompany him to the gates, however. Choi was taken into custody and arrested within minutes of chaining himself to the gates.
Locally, Floridians have already organized an Orlando rally to protest the former Army National Guard member's arrest. Organizers hope to bring a crowd to U.S. Senator Bill Nelson's office on Friday, March 19, at noon.
Senator Nelson has been a major opponent of repealing the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, according to a press release sent to Watermark, and he has clogged several federal channels causing the slowing of its repeal.
Protestors are encouraged to bring signs and visual representations that express their indignation about the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. The policy has reportedly ended 13,500 military careers since its inception in the early 1990s, including the career of Choi.
The protest will be at 225 E. Robinson ST., Ste. 410 in Orlando and organizers hope to have enough participants to participate both outside and inside the building.
Those who cannot attend the protest are encouraged to call Nelson's office at 407-872-7161 or 1-888-671-4091.
Senator Bill Nelson's Orlando office is located at:
Orlandoâ€Ã”šÃ‚¨Landmark Two
225 East Robinson Street, Ste 410
Orlando, Florida 32801
Phone: 407-872-7161
Toll Free in Florida: 1-888-671-4091
Fax: 407-872-7165
Gay rights activist Robin McGehee was also arrested, and talks about it here:
