Washington, D.C. is a company town, the company being the U.S. government. During a typical week, Congress holds hearings and press conferences, people demonstrate outside the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court serves as a check on the other two branches of government, and the Federal bureaucracy administers government programs and regulates a variety of private sector activities. Each time I visit Washington, D.C., I witness the wheels of government turning and see political activity in the streets.

D.C. was particularly busy this past week. The Senate held hearings on the Big, Beautiful Bill; lobbyists roamed Senate and House office buildings; the public made its views known in front of the White House and on Capitol Hill; our elected representatives held press conferences; and the U.S. Navy Band performed in Navy Plaza just off Pennsylvania Avenue.

A. The White House Peace Vigil. Since June 3, 1981, there tent has been pitched on the southern end of Lafayette Square, immediately across from the White House. When looking out the windows of the residential dining room in the White House, every president since Ronald Reagan has had a clear view of what admittedly is an eyesore. Craig S. Thompson, the man who first pitched the tent, staged a peace vigil against nuclear war until his death in 2009. Volunteers then took up Thompson’s mantle, which continues to this day, 44 years later.

The D.C. Police Department dismantled the site when the person tending the tent left it unattended in the early morning hours of September 12, 2013. By the end of the day, the volunteers who had continued Thompson’s footsteps, returned the tent to its hallowed ground. According to the Guiness Book of World Records, Concepción “Connie” Picciotto, who joined and then succeeded Thompson, holds the world record for the longest peace vigil by any individual in history—34 years, 177 days.

If they even give it a second thought, the school groups and other tourists who regularly stop in front of the White House might not realize that Thompson’s eyesore originated during the height of the Cold War, a time when the world’s nuclear arsenal posed a clear and present danger to humanity’s very existence. Remember Nena’s 1984 anthem, 99 Luftballons?

The tent’s surface and the rickety structures now surrounding it are covered with signage addressing a multitude of issues. Currently Philipos Melaku-Bello is the lead caretaker. I’ve seen him many times, often sitting in a wheelchair in front of the tent. When I passed by earlier this week, he was seated out front, with the sounds of Sly and the Family Stone blaring from a speaker. I said to him, “I guess tomorrow it’s Pet Sounds.” He hadn’t yet heard that Brian Wilson had died earlier in the day, but when I told him, he agreed, ‘Pet Sounds tomorrow.’

I probably disagree with Melaku-Bello and the other caretakers on several issues, but whether I agree or not, I like the fact that these people are willing to speak truth, as they see it, to power, which is why each time I am in Washington, D.C. I make a point of passing the tent.

With Trump in office, Thompson’s peace vigil has come under attack. In a May 8, 2025 letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, New Jersey Republican Congressman Jeff Van Drew, wrote:

Let me be clear: nothing in the Constitution guarantees the right to erect permanent structures and occupy public land day after day, year after year, in a manner that creates public safety hazards, degrades the appearance of one of our most iconic parks, and burdens both the District and the National Park Service. This isn’t “free speech”. This is a failure of enforcement.

Drew points to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Clark v. Community for Creative Non-Violence, 468 U.S. 288 (1984), which held that a group drawing attention to homelessness could not pitch a symbolic tent in Lafayette Park or on the National Mall in violation of National Park Service Rules. The Court held that the challenged application of the regulations did not violate the First Amendment.

Whether that holding could be applied to the peace vigil is open to question for at least two reasons. First, I was told by one of the peace vigil volunteers that a court had ruled that the peace vigil represented protected First Amendment speech. I have been unable to locate a published court opinion, but I admittedly have not spent much time looking for it.

Second, the tent technically may not be in Lafayette Square. As my photograph indicates, it is in what could best described as No-Man’s land, resting on the cobblestone pavement separating the parkland from Pennsylvania Avenue’s roadbed.

Representative Van Drew might want to send Secretary Burgum a follow-up letter given his concern that the peace vigil “highjack[s] “a national park and turn[s] it into a 24/7 eyesore.” With or without the tent, Lafayette Square has become a 24/7 eyesore. The park is now bisected by 8-foot-high, black anti-scaling fencing. The parkland is unkempt, with large patches of dirt replacing manicured lawn. Hardly a place where people want to laze about, eating lunch while outstretched on a blanket.

Stay tuned for future developments.

[Click on an Image to Enlarge It. The Images Are Not Necessarily in Exact Chronological Order]

**The White House Peace Vigil Has Faced the White House Since June 3, 1981**

**Situated in What Might Best Be Described as No-Man’s Land Separating LaFayette Square from Pennsylvania Avenue.**

B. Other Activity Outside the White House. Despite Trump’s highly transparent subterfuge designed to prevent organized groups from demonstrating directly in front of the impenetrable, 13-foot-high anti-climb fencing separating Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House grounds, individuals still show up with their signs. I ran into one man with anti-genocide signage strapped to his body as he stood in front of the White House. After I captured his image, he told me he had a second “Stop Genocide” tee-shirt that I could put on. He would then use my camera to photograph me in front of the White House with his signage attached to me. Quite the D.C. Instagram moment. I took a pass.

Not surprisingly, my favorite sign on this trip was held by a lone woman standing adjacent to the White House fencing. “Deport Trump to El Salvador.” I couldn’t help but wonder whether she was a gutsy undocumented migrant.

Pennsylvania Avenue does attract its share of conspiracy theorists and nutcases. Take the case of the woman accusing “Vatican terrorists” of faking the deaths of ten or so prominent Americans, including Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, President John F. Kennedy, Michelle Obama’s mother, and Donald J. Trump’s sister. WTF?

A man speaking on behalf of Uyghurs posed with a multi-panel display that included signage and flags. Several trips back, I encountered a group of Uyghurs in Lafayette Square beginning a hunger strike. Momentarily, I wondered whether this man is the sole survivor.

A group of Jehovah’s Witnesses set up an informational stand like the ones that often I see outside Chicago’s Wrigley Building. I am a big fan of the Witnesses—they are friendly and non-judgmental, never pushing themselves on others. Today, they were asking the salient question, particularly when asked in front of Trump’s White House: “Why Pray?”

As I headed back to my hotel, I ran into the Truth Conductor, who is another regular outside the White House gates. He was getting into a car, apparently having finished his work for the day. Dressed as an elegant railroad conductor, this man makes a simple demand, “Stop Hating Each Other Because You Disagree.” I ran into him in New York City outside the New York City courthouse where Donald J. Trump was arraigned.

On this trip, I stopped by the White House each day. Unfortunately, the Secret Service now closes the street on a sporadic basis. The agents simply do what they are told to do, but someone is obviously trying to quell dissent. Donald J. Trump, Representative Jeff Van Drew, and other MAGA Republicans apparently believe that the exercise of First Amendment rights is unseemly unless they are the ones exercising them.

**Standing in Front of the White House**

**"Why Pray?" the Jehovah Witnesses Ask. Because Donald J. Trump is in the White House**

**Another School Group Heading to the White House**

**Does Donald J. Trump Even Know Who the Uyghurs Are? Does He Care If He Does?**

**Did the Vatican Fake the Death of Paul McCartney--"Turn Me on Deadman"**

**The Truth Conductor Heading Home for the Evening**

C. A Demonstration on Capitol Hill Demanding that Medicaid Benefits Not be Cut. On Wednesday morning, I was walking up Capitol Hill with a group of Ukrainians when I heard chants up ahead. I took off, sprinting ahead of the Ukrainians, hoping to buy myself two or three minutes so that I could photograph what turned out to be a relatively small demonstration—maybe 30 people. The group opposed the Big Beautiful Bill’s cuts to Medicaid. According to the signage, the cuts would have a devastating impact on poor people.

Demonstrations like this one are not unusual. On two occasions, I accompanied members of the Highland Park Community to Capitol Hill following the mass shooting during the 2022 Fourth of July parade that left 21 people dead, and 48 others wounded. Operating under the March Fourth moniker, the group demanded that automatic weapons be outlawed.

The most notable feature of today’s demonstration was ‘bedsheet woman',’ who was using her two metal poles to display another masterpiece, with “Trump is a Dick” prominently scrawled in large, distinctive orange lettering across the white surface. More about her momentarily.

**Never a Truer Statement Has Been Uttered**

**A Small Group Demonstrating Against Cuts to Medicaid**

**"Cuts to Our Healthcare Is a Death Sentence for the Many"**

**Demonstrating on Capitol Hill for Medicaid**

D. The Capitol. As a structure, the U.S. Capitol is an impressive one. When in Washington, D.C., I enjoy gazing in its direction at different times of day and during different seasons. The panorama never disappoints. This photograph was captured as I headed home from a private screening in the U.S. Capitol of Bernard-Henri Lévy’s most recent Ukraine War documentary. Lévy was present and spoke, so it was quite the evening.

E. Senator Amy Klobuchar’s Hearing on the Big Beautiful Bill. While I was waiting with the Ukrainian delegation to enter a Senator’s office, I made excellent use of a 30-minute delay. Down the hall, Senator Amy Klobuchar was holding an hearing in the conference room used by the Senate’s Committee on Appropriations. Referring to Donald J. Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill as a Big Betrayal of Women, Klobuchar assembled a group of witnesses who were testifying on the adverse impact of Trump’s BBB on women and children. I could only stay for 15 minutes, but that proved sufficient.

**"Medicaid Covers: 1 in 5 Women & Half of Kids"**

**Senator Amy Klobachar Holds a Hearing on the "Big Betrayal of Women"**

**Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto Listening to a Discusion About the Big Beauitful Bill**

**Representative Clark Listens as Senator Klobuchar Speaks**

F. A One-Man Vigil. On Wednesday, while heading from Rayburn House Office Building to the Dirksen Senate Office Building, I ran into Louis, who was comfortably ensconced on the lawn separating the U.S. Capitol from the U.S. Supreme Court. Alone, Louis had pitched a large banner reading, “You Are All Cowards.”

I approached Louis, asking him whether any Senators or Representatives had stopped by. He told me that they all hated him. I then asked the obvious question, “Why are they cowards? Are you asking why they are afraid of Donald J. Trump?” Nope. Louis doesn’t like money in politics. I asked whether he was opposed to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United? Yep, but my impression was that Louis’s concerns go far beyond campaign contributions. He didn’t quite say it, but I left with the impression that Louis believes former Senator Robert Menendez, who recently was sentenced to an 11-year prison sentence for selling his office in exchange for cash and bars of gold, isn’t the only one on the take.

For the last three or four months, Louis, who lives in Massachusetts, has traveled to D.C. once a month, where he stages his vigil for a week. I didn’t offer him any advice, but his crusade would be far more effective if he positioned himself on the other side of the U.S. Capitol, which would mean the majestic Capitol building would serve as the backdrop, creating much better Instagram imagery for the many people passing by who snap a quick photograph.

**Letting Congress Know Exactly What He Thinks of Them**

G. A Press Conference Hosted by Senator Chuck Schumer. During a noon-hour break on Wednesday, I stumbled onto a press conference on the U.S. Capitol’s southside. Forty mass shooting victims were demanding that the Big Beautiful Bill be stripped of a provision repealing the prohibition against gun silencers. On hand were Senators Chuck Schumer D-New York), Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota). All vehemently opposed the provision repealing the restrictions, particularly Senator Kelly, whose wife, Gabby Giffords, has been targeted by an assassin, leaving her disabled. Interspersed between each Senator’s speech were remarks from victims, including a mother whose daughter survived the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, as well as a student who had escaped physically unharmed from the same incident.

Senator Schumer served as the MC, introducing each speaker. He has a folksy, low-key demeanor. On three or four occasions, he referenced what is a non-existent biblical proverb, which has also been attributed to John F. Kennedy, Confucius, and Eleanor Roosevelt. “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Schumer viewed each victim of gun violence who was speaking today as bravely lighting a candle.

I had one question for the senators: How can a budget reconciliation bill contain the silencer provision (as well as several other provisions included in the Big Beautiful Bill)? The reconciliation rules require that provisions be limited to matters directly affecting the Federal budget deficit. When Schumer asked for questions, my hand was about to shoot up, but he paused, and before taking any questions, he said that the Democrats in the Senate would be challenging the provision because it focused on policy matters unrelated to the Federal deficit.

People who already have seen the following images have asked me how I managed to get so close. I just walked up, holding two cameras. Nobody searched me, nor did anyone ask who I was. I noticed several men, dressed in grey suits, standing nearby who had wires hanging from their ears, so there was security. Maybe it will be increased following the recent assassination of a Minnesota legislator and her husband.

**Bringing the Press Conference to a Close**

**Senator Amy Klobuchar Listening as Senator Mark Kelly Addresses Gun Control**

**Aalayah Eastmond, a Student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Who Survived the Mass Shooting at Her School, Speaking Out Against Gun Violence**

**Senators Mark Kelly, Charles Schmer, and Chris Murphy Addressing the Deregulation of Firearm Silencers at a Press Conference**

**Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy Stepping Out Front**

**Angela Weber, the Mother of a Marjory Stoneman Douglas Survivor, Discussing the Tactical Advantage that Silencers Provide Mass Shooters**

**Senator Schumer Making an Important Point**

**Senator Amy Klobuchar Wrapping Up Her Remarks**

**Senator Mark Kelly, Speaking Out Against the Legislation that Would Deregulate Silencers**

**Reading Her Speech on an Important Issue**

**Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Looking Over the Top of His Glassses**

H. Canada Takes a Stand. Donald J. Trump has not been as vocal about making Canada the 51st state as he was earlier this year. My last several trips to D.C. have involved trips to Capitol Hill, meaning I passed the Canadian Embassy each time I walked up Pennsylvania Avenue. Each time I glanced at the embassy, wondering whether the Canadians would visibly respond to Trump’s taunts. Unlike Trump, the Canadians are both subtle and circumspect. Nevertheless, I’d say they were sending Trump a message with the banner currently hanging from the embassy.

**The Canadian Embassy Staging a Not-so-Subtle Protest**

I. The Gay Community Tells Its Story. June is Gay Pride Month, so I was not at all surprised to see a display in Freedom Plaza, which is located in close proximity to what was once the Trump Hotel. D.C.’s LGBQT community opted for a history lesson. I loved the historic photographs.

**A Display for Gay Pride Month In Freedom Plaza**

**A Plea to Respect the First Amendment**

J. Another Vigil. The Peace Vigil outside the White House is not the only D.C. protest housed in a ramshackle structure. Near McPherson Square, a barefoot gentleman has seemingly taken up residence, demanding Clean Honest Government. I don’t know how long he has manned his post, but I first encountered him during the week of Trump’s inauguration earlier this year. Check out his website at http://www.cleanhonestgov.com.

**For More Information, Go to CleanHonestGov.com**

K. The Navy Band Celebrates the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday. On Wednesday night, as I was heading back from the U.S. Capitol, I heard loud sounds emanating from the United States Navy Memorial Plaza, which is located directly across from the National Archives on Pennsylvania Avenue. The plaza has the largest map in the world etched into the circular plaza’s stone surface.

The U.S. Navy Band, wearing dress whites, was performing a summer concert. Based on the signage, the concert was a salute to the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday. I don’t recall the songs, but the mix included patriotic anthems and pop tunes. If you are in D.C. during the summer months and big brass bands are your jam, check the plaza’s website.

**An Early Evening Performance By a Navy Band**

L. Our Lady Friend is at It Again. Last summer, I encountered a woman during one of the demonstrations at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. She had quite the sign, built using two metal poles and a bedsheet. In colorful script, she had scrawled her message to the Republicans. The woman was surrounded by photographers and reporters seeking pithy quotes. People who expend effort when fashioning their protest signage alway garner lots of interest from the media.

A month later, my fellow photographers and I encountered her outside the United Center gate during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Looking back at older photographs, I realized I had captured her image on April 4, 2023, outside Donald J. Trump’s arraignment in New York City.

Earlier this year, I ran into her during Trump’s inauguration weekend at a protest on the National Mall. Since then, I’ve seen her image reproduced in the New York Times and the Washington Post. She is not just another pretty face, as I have learned when she is interviewed. She is both knowledgeable about the issues and highly articulated.

This past week I encountered her at three demonstrations. Initially, I was disappointed the by color scheme she used for her bedsheet. Drab brown and dirty yellow, rather than electrifying orange, green, red, and blue. As she stood in Lafayette Circle, I approach her, asking why her colors were so drab today. Flashing a big smile, she said, “It’s camouflage for the Army Parade.” Ah, I now see. She also has a great sense of humor.

M. The Iranians Respond to a Middle East Crisis. Late Friday afternoon, I tried to walk past the White House, but the Secret Service has closed Pennsylvania in anticipation of Saturday’s U.S. Army parade. I then headed to Lafayette Square, where I unexpectedly encountered 30 people who I assume were Iranian-Americans.

The demonstration was relatively low key, with the demonstrators demanding “No War with Iran.” Sponsored by the National Iranian American Council, the demonstration focused on Israel’s Rising Lion military campaign to decapitate the Iranian leadership and shutdown Iran’s nuclear programs. The first attacks happened earlier in the day.

Setting the specific issue in question, this demonstration aptly illustrates just how quickly interest groups can mobilize their troops to speak out. I have no doubt that we will see larger demonstrations, particularly if Donald J. Trump should decide to intervene on Israel’s behalf.

**"As Bombs Explode, Zionism Implodes"**

**Demanding that the United States Stay Out of Iran**

N. Signage Throughout the City. Throughout my six-day stay in D.C., I encountered lots of signs plastered to light poles and utility boxes addressing all the hot topics, as well as some sculpture and other works of art. Here is a brief sampling.