D.C. settles suit over protester detained near Guard

June 27, 2026

1–2 minutes

Summary

Washington, D.C., agreed to settle a lawsuit over a man's detention while he played a "Star Wars" theme near National Guard troops.

Why this matters

The settlement resolves claims that police violated a protester's constitutional rights during a political demonstration in Washington. The case also continues against a National Guard member, keeping broader questions about protest rights and security deployments in dispute.

Washington, D.C., police agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by a resident who was handcuffed and detained after following National Guard troops while playing “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia.

Sam O’Hara’s TikTok account, @freedc20009, featured videos of him walking behind or standing near Guard troops in Washington while playing the Darth Vader theme on his phone or a small Bluetooth speaker. The videos mostly showed troops ignoring him. In at least two clips, one Guard member appeared to smile and another appeared to move his head to the music.

According to the complaint, O’Hara was detained by Metropolitan Police Department officers last September after a National Guard member complained about the music. The complaint said officers tightly handcuffed O’Hara for 15 to 20 minutes, despite his objections that he was engaged in peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment.

The complaint also alleged that O’Hara told officers the handcuffs were too tight, that one officer jerked his arms while handcuffing him, and that the officers did not reduce his discomfort despite two shoulder surgeries in 2023. He was released without charges.

O’Hara’s attorneys said he played the music “at a volume that was audible but not blaring,” did not speak to or touch Guard members, did not interfere with operations, and followed them only briefly during walking patrols.

The ACLU said settlement terms were confidential, but that Washington, D.C., agreed to pay to resolve the claims against the police department. Litigation against the National Guard member involved remained ongoing.

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Washington, D.C., police agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by a resident who was handcuffed and detained after following National Guard troops while playing “The Imperial March” from “Star Wars,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia.

Sam O’Hara’s TikTok account, @freedc20009, featured videos of him walking behind or standing near Guard troops in Washington while playing the Darth Vader theme on his phone or a small Bluetooth speaker. The videos mostly showed troops ignoring him. In at least two clips, one Guard member appeared to smile and another appeared to move his head to the music.

According to the complaint, O’Hara was detained by Metropolitan Police Department officers last September after a National Guard member complained about the music. The complaint said officers tightly handcuffed O’Hara for 15 to 20 minutes, despite his objections that he was engaged in peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment.

The complaint also alleged that O’Hara told officers the handcuffs were too tight, that one officer jerked his arms while handcuffing him, and that the officers did not reduce his discomfort despite two shoulder surgeries in 2023. He was released without charges.

O’Hara’s attorneys said he played the music “at a volume that was audible but not blaring,” did not speak to or touch Guard members, did not interfere with operations, and followed them only briefly during walking patrols.

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