Stop Prosecuting Iraq War Veteran For Exercising Free Speech
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: Judge John M. Facciola
Iraq war veteran Dan Choi was arrested during a gay rights rally in 2010 when he chained himself to the White House fence to protest
"Don't Ask Don't Tell." Choi was arrested for blocking a sidewalk that he wasn't even on--an arrest that has dragged down the veteran with federal litigation for two years.
Federal prosecutors are pushing to jail Choi for the six month maximum despite his peaceful protest of "Don't Ask Don't Tell." After serving America in the Iraq war, he faces exaggerated charges that have stripped Choi of his benefits, cut his veterans disability check, and left him with thousands in undeserved legal costs.
Choi was honorably discharged after publicly announcing he is gay, and still faces calls from bill collectors demanding a $3,000 discharge fee. He has been dealing with dirty litigation games, and all for exercising his right to free speech.
Drop the excessive and discriminatory federal charges against the honorable Lieutenant Dan Choi!
Dear Judge John M. Facciola,
The outright disrespect and discrimination in the case of United States v. Choi completely undermines Iraq war veteran Dan Choi's basic rights.
Choi is facing prolonged charges and litigation after being arrested for a crime he did not even commit--a heinous situation for anyone, let alone a former U.S. officer. He was arrested for obstructing a sidewalk when it is publicly known he was protesting "Don't Ask Don't Tell" away from the sidewalk, on the White House fence.
Exercising free speech is not punishable by law--so why has Choi been bogged down by two years of costly federal litigation? This case is ridden with disrespect and inflated charges--as the prosecuters involved would not even acknowledge Choi by his proper title "Lieutenant Choi," repeatedly calling him "Mr. Choi" during trial.
Stop chaining Lieutenant Choi to a federal litigation case that tarnishes free speech rights and victimizes a former U.S. official!
