Dan Fotou was among five GetEQUAL activists who bought tickets to the expensive fundraiser for US Sen. Barbara Boxer Monday night at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. Shortly after President Obama started speaking, first Laura Kanter, then Fotou started heckling Obama over his lack of leadership in repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
“It was worth it to us,” Fotou told me by phone shortly after leaving the event with fellow GetEQUAL activist David The tickets for the VIP reception were three tiers, with Fotou and Kanter buying three of the $500 tickets each and Zoe and – buying $250 tickets each; they did not pay the $2,500. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell must be repealed and the president has to take leadership on it.”
Fotou described the scene, saying they planned their disruptions in a sequence. First Democratic National Committee chair Tim Kaine spoke, then Boxer, who introduced Obama. Shortly into his speech, Kanter started yelling: “Show leadership, Mr. President. Repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell! It’s time to get Equal! We’re waiting for you!”
After Kanter interrupted, Fotou started chanting the same thing; then Zoe. The crowd was very angry but the security who dragged them out were OK – offering to let them stay if they promised to be quiet, since they had already paid their tickets. They were allowed back in – though they were assigned to the $250 seat area. Then Zoe Nicholson started in with her chant, followed by Michelle Wright and Laura McFerrin – perplexing Obama who said, “I’m on your side. I’m working to do what I can. What do you want?”
“Boom! That was it,” said Fotou, saying he shouted to insert language into the Defense Re-Authorization bill. “I started screaming, ‘Insert the language’ – over and over and over – until the police came.” This time they were escorted out and advised that if they attempted to come back onto the property, they would be arrested. Meanwhile, Fotou said, the “people inside were very angry.”
Fotou said they had planned to have videographer there, but the president showed up early by helicopter, which closed the major streets in the surrounding area. He said some photos were taken and will be uploaded on Flickr. Meanwhile other protesters outside the museum where cordoned off in a designated demonstration zone.
Fotou said GetEQUAL was particularly angry about a recent Pentagon letter to military families asking their opinion about repealing the policy. “They weren’t asking the families about how to implement the repeal,” Fotou said angrily. “They were asking the families of servicemembers about what they think about the repeal. Why should our rights be going to a poll? The president can change all that by showing leadership and putting the repeal into the Appropriations bill.”
Fotou said Get EQUAL is pushing on DADT specifically because of Obama’s apparent desire to wait to see the Pentagon study on the repeal – which would take about a year. (UPDATE - The Advocate interviewed Aubrey Sarvis, executive director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, about reports from Capitol Hill staffers that the Pentagon asked both the House and Senate to delay a vote on the repeal until after the DoD has finished its study.)
Fotou said he continues to be inspired by a campaign promise Obama made in February 2008. Obama said: I will never compromise on my commitment to equal rights for LGBT Americans.”
Fotou and GetEQUAL intends to hold the president to that promise – not just on DADT, but on all LGBT rights.
One side note of interest: to set up the interview, I spoke with Robert Polzoni in San Francisco, who told me to call Jay Carmona in Washington DC, who told Fotou, who now lives in LA, to return my call. So in a manner of speaking, this was a nationally coordinated action. When I noted this, Fotou said, GetEQUAL represents the entire LGBT community, not just the lobbying groups.”
Political advisor and strategic organizer David John Fleck acted as their safety net, to ensure that if anything happened, the right information got out and they were protected, Fotou said. He also emphasized that the action “couldn’t have happened without each and every one of us.”
Most importantly, Fotou said he believes the message got through to Obama. “He’s a wonderful orator. He can talk you down. His response was that he is working with Boxer on this [Boxer did not vote for DADT in 1993],” Fotou said. “But that’s not enough. I know he heard us. It’s now on his radar. And we’re not going away. We’re going to keep showing up and showing up until Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is repealed.”
I just watched video on the local KCAL News which has not yet been posted online. Obama looked ruffled, while trying to calm the crowd angry with the protesters.
“We need to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which I agree with – and which we have begun to do,” Obama said. He tries to speak over the yelling. “I just confirmed with Barbara and if you’re thinking of starting a chant – Barbara didn’t vote for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in the first place so you know she’s going to be for repeal.”
Interesting how Obama turned what had been a plea for his leadership into a plug for Boxer.
UPDATE: According to the latest pool report, Obama referenced DADT at the tonier event later in the evening. I don’t know if he would have done that without the protest.
Here’s how the White House Press Pool described it:
At 6:17, several protesters among the crowd interrupted POTUS’ speech, expressing anger over the slow progress on repealing the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gay service members. The crowd tried to hush them. “What about don’t ask, don’t tell?” one protester shouted.
POTUS yelled back “we are going to do that.”
POTUS kept talking, increasing his volume to speak over the protesters. The crowd then erupted into chants of “Yes, we can.”
He later said, “we are going to repeal don’t ask, don’t tell.”
Your pooler has learned the protesters are from GetEQUAL, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group that also orchestrated protests outside the fundraiser. The group was also behind a protest last month at the White House, where activists Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. James Pietrangelo handcuffed themselves to a gate.
“IT’s time for equality for all Americans!” another protester yelled at 9:22. Obama said, “can I just say again Barbara and I are supportive of repealing Don’t ask dont tell.” But protester keeps yelling. Bringing Obama’s remarks to a halt. The crowd responds again by “shouting yes we can!” over the protesters.
“Be quiet!” someone yells.
At 6:25 local time, POTUS has regained control of the speech.
Here’s the press release GetEQUAL put out after the action:
Moments ago, several GetEQUAL activists interrupted President Obama during his speech at a fundraising reception for Senator Barbara Boxer in Los Angeles, expressing anger over the slow progress on repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ this year and demanding that he repeal it.
GetEQUAL activists shouted, “what about ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’” and “it’s time for equality for all Americans.” The President, at one point bringing his remarks to a halt, said, “Barbara and I are supportive of repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’.”
Activists David John Fleck, Dan Fotou, Laura Kanter, Zoe Nicholson, and Michelle Wright were then escorted out of the reception by security officers.
In a subsequent press release, GetEQUAL said:
“President Obama has been AWOL on DADT,” Fotou. “We had to reminded him of the promises he made to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community during his campaign and several times during his Presidency – that DADT will be repealed because, as he’s stated, ‘it’s the right thing to do.’”
“We made it clear our community will hold accountable our President for unkept promises,” said Wright. “Denying LGBT service members and personnel the ability to serve their country is unfair.”
Today’s action took place nearly one year after a similar protest outside an Obama appearance in Los Angeles, when Lt. Dan Choi asked the President for a response to a letter signed by 136,000 people to repeal DADT.
“These empowering and brave activists feel so strongly about our rights they were willing to confront the President of the United States on his lack of leadership on DADT and to hold him accountable for the promises he has made to our community,” said Kip Williams, co-founder of GetEQUAL.
Those involved in the action:
David John Fleck resides in Long Beach, CA. He is a former Grassroots Outreach Organizing Director for the Courage Campaign and Steering Committee member for the National Equality March. He was involved in today’s action because he believes that this year, this Congress offers the only realistic prospect to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and that the President must take a leadership role in accomplishing what he promised in his State of the Union Address.
Dan Fotou lives in Los Angeles, CA. He took part in today’s action because he has a dream to have access to the same rights, freedoms, privileges and protections as every other American citizen. He believes federal law must be enacted to protect the LGBTQ community against all forms of discrimination.
Laura Kanter resides in Irvine, CA with her wife. She was one of 18,000 couples able to get married. A good friend of Dan Choi, she is participating in today’s action because it is wrong to deny Dan Choi and every other LGBT American who is willing to risk their life for this country, the opportunity to serve. Laura will continue to fight out loud as long as LGBT people are denied equal rights and will challenge Democrats and other progressive thinkers who allow this injustice to continue.
Laura McFerrin from Dallas, TX. She organized a protest at First Baptist Church in Dallas, TX after the minister preached a sermon, “Why Gay is Not Okay”. Laura is the director of March On, a documentary following the lives of several LGBT families on their journey to the National Equality March in Washington last October. She believes that this direct action will serve as a wake up call to Obama and remind him of his promises
Zoe Nicholson lives in Newport Beach, CA. A feminist and fighter for civil rights, she is the founder of ERA Once and For All, a life long member of NOW, NWPC, Veteran Feminists of America and outspoken voice for LGBTQAI rights. She has been on the front lines of activism since the 1960s.
Michelle Wright resides in Fresno, CA. Through years of participation in sports she understands competition and passion. Both are key components in the life of a military service member and have the ability to weave there way into one’s internal framework. To deny LGBT the right to pursue their dreams is unjust and she took part in the action because she stands in solidarity with uniform wearing LGBT members who look forward to serving their country with pride and honor.
You can view photos of the action at http://www.flickr.com/photos/getequal/
You can view videos of the action at http://www.youtube.com/getequal
Here’s video from KABC TV News:
Lead Photo of Obama at the fundraiser courtesy LA City Council President Eric Garcetti who posted it on his Twitter feed.
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The POTUS looked royally pissed tonight.
Fine. Let him get royally pissed. For us it’s been such a Royal Screwing for far too long and he needs to hear about it. At least (finally) we got his attention with no place to hide. Now maybe our friend the POTUS will stop lying about gay marriage on television, stop cavorting with bigoted preachers who would just as soon see us dead, stop two timing and defaming us in court on DOMA and DADT and (finally, once and for all) really start keeping his promises to us.
He “doesn’t know” why we’re hollering? Give me a break. He’s not Inside the Beltway anymore or the studio of a Major Televison Network: those Freak Show Halls of Mirrors, full of cheap, low rent liars, carnival barkers, celebrity dancers, talking animals, American Yodelers, insider closet cases, saps and shameless, utterly self serving suck ups.
He’s pissed? Does he yet know how royally pissed we are? We shall see, won’t we?
hi karen,
Although I love the act of speaking up non violently, I in this instance don’t agree. I applaud the activists on their ability to speak their mind, but in my opinion, and my opinion only, Obama has been a friend. He may be moving slower than we had all hoped, but in all fairness, it is more movement than we have had. He will make changes in his second term, of which we all know is when gay issues are moved forward. It is a fact of life that we are not loved by all, and yes this hurts me. I just am going to remain positive that the President will move hastily in his second term. Once he is assuredly re-elected, we stand a good chance at a lot of change. I may be wrong, but my faith is still in Obama.
best
jimmy palmieri
Hey Jimmy -
Just by way of giving a comparison since it’s not for me to judge the protesters here one way or the other.
But I want to remind you that Bill Clinton was “our friend” and yet ACT UP activists pestered him unmercifully throughout his campaign and after he was elected and held that first national conference on AIDS that was broadcast live on C-SPAN – he was still too slow. Remember how half his Advisory Board resigned when he refused to lift the ban on needle exchange? Remember how people bought tickets to the HRC dinner just so they could yell: “Remember AIDS!”
Well, it might not SEEM like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is different from AIDS in that we’re not dealing with people dying in our arms in the same way. But Jimmy – they’re dying nonetheless – and perhaps even more cruelly because they’re dying in silence and they’re dying of shame – a shame they don’t need to carry.
DADT is a killer and LGBT people who serve our country and the ones who love them ought not have to die in silence and shame because WE prefer our protests be more polite. So agree with them or not – to me this action by GetEQUAL is in some ways reminiscent of the old ACT UP.
Anyway – my two cents.
Thanks Karen for the coverage and the beautiful metaphor of dying in silence to dying of AIDS. Wonderfully put.
Jimmy, I appreciate your perspective and want to assure you that we have nothing but great hopes and adoration for President Obama. He promised us during his campaign that he would be “a fierce advocate” for us and that “he will NEVER compromise on his commitment to Equal Rights for LGBT Americans.” It’s not that he’s just been too slow, but that he’s said one thing and done another. The letter from the Pentagon asking family members of straight service members what they think of the repeal is offensive and morally wrong; the fact that discharges are still happening is unacceptable and morally wrong; the fact that he refused to include repeal language in the Defense Appropriations Bill is a compromise on his commitment to Equal Rights for LGBT Americans. We had to stand up; we had to remind him of his promises he made to us; we had to let him know that we cannot be pacified any longer, that the time to repeal is now. I encourage the LGBTQ community to not just sit back and only listen to our President’s words but to watch his actions and do the math for themselves. Please know, we adore the President. I’m proud to have him represent the US to the world – now he needs to represent leadership to us on our issues – after all, in his words, “it’s the right thing to do.”
i absolutley agree. it is very hard for me to have freinds who must hide who they are or fear losing their job, insurance and place in the military. it is a sad fact of life. i pray daily for all of my community to feel they belong. this is a terribly isolating policy, unfair and discriminating. i think for me, i am so happy right now about hospital visits, that i sometimes just hope he will do all he promised. i honestly am glad you like him, because i think he is our future in a country that would see us disappear. again, i applaude all of you, as i was part of the original act up in new york. we did a lot back then, and you are doing a lot now. it is something to be proud of.
Heh, the spin machine from GetEQUAL is revving up, I see.
He’s no more aware now than he was then of DADT.
People are making something out of what the president will see as a bunch of angry hecklers– which I might say he’s conditioned to dismiss and forget about quickly given how the tea party people put you all to shame.
Your acts are so craven and attention-seeking. You pressure a figure who’s no more than a public relations puppet of the country. Congress is what ultimately cause the appeal.
But does this group effectively lobby Congress? No. They go for the big profile but irrelevant target that may get them their 15 minutes of fame in the spotlight of supposed activism.
The real heroes are not those lazy to simply make scenes; it’s those who accomplish something tangible. Our legal groups who bring us the victories and the rights along with them. The local and state organizations, along with those of The Victory Fund who push forward legislative progress instead of polluting and clouding the movement with noise and flashpan.
Thank you Lucrece. Congressman Barney Frank has been saying (and he repeated in Karen’s most recent interview him) what to do and how to handle it—get in touch with your Congress rep.
These Get Equal people and all those who support them are not at all interested in the repeal of DADT, as much as they are capitalizing off of the attention.
Obama’s the best friend LGBTs have EVER had in the White House—dare anyone to say otherwise and when you do make sure you have your facts with you.
And by the way, it’s my opinion that these people are nothing like ACT UP in the height of their protest era. For starters, you didn’t see any news stories or press releases with all their names headlining with a protest action they’d recently created.
This alone tell us EXACTLY what these people are about—anything and everything but the repeal of DADT. No thanks.
~Derrick
@ Thomas Coleman
I suppose you think republicans will be concerned about your issues? Did you scream when DADT was instated by Bill Clinton?
Thomas -
Actually, many did scream and chain themselves to the White House gate as is happening again right now.
Among the Republicans who said gays should serve openly was Barry Goldwater:
http://lgbtpov.frontiersla.com/2010/02/barry-goldwater-on-gays-in-the-military-–-lift-the-ban-now/
This is just way too funny. Gone are the days of decency and control. Now is all about “rights”. Well what the “Gay Community” fails to realize is that the drama and the ignorance that they display is actually pushing them back. Many americans have lost their respect for the politicians, and now they have no respect for each other. Who cares what you do in the privacy of your own home, sorry, many have lost their homes. Get a freaking life, a job and do what is right and stop crying about your rights. You have the same rights everyone else has. Is that not enough. If you dont like it here then move somewhere else. Try China and see what they do to the so called open gay people, or maybe Cuba, I am sure Fidel will not mind. How about Europe or maybe the middle east. Come on people there are a lot of more important issues out there. You are just becoming part of the problem!
From my blog today —-
The President look straight back to me and said, if you have so much to say, then come up here and say it. I said out loud yes, lifted my right hand as if to part the crowd and make my way. Funny thing, I actually would have been more comfortable on the stage than in the crowd. I was relieved and all my facts were streaming through my mind about what I wanted to tell him. As I made a ten foot advance I felt two men in black suits take my elbows in tow. It wasn’t mean, it wasn’t aggressive just certain, with purpose and they knew that I was not going to resist their about face.
Thanks for adding to the record, Zoe.
Six of your GetEQUAL friends were just arrested at the White House!
Sure reminds me of ACT UP!
“But does this group effectively lobby Congress? No. They go for the big profile but irrelevant target that may get them their 15 minutes of fame in the spotlight of supposed activism.”
They also staged a sit in Speaker Pelosi’s office. But don’t let facts get in the way of your sophomoric name calling.
Karen–I think it is important to note that there has been a lot of talk that Obama has been pressuring congress to NOT take up DADT this year in direct contradiction to what he tells our community. These allegations come from reliable sources and have been given credibility by such figures as Barney Frank and SLDN leader Aubrey Sarvis. taking the protest to Obama was therefore going directly to the source of the hold up of our civil rights. We’ve seen that lobbying through groups like HRC is getting us nowhere. The problem is that they are too busy lobbying US on behalf of the Obama administration instead of the other way around. Their failure is the genesis of groups like GetEQUAL
You’re right – here’s the link to SLDN in which Sarvis tells Politico that he’s “disturbed” about rumors that the White House is quietly working to postpone the repeal of DADT. http://www.sldn.org/news/archives/sldns-sarvis-in-ben-smiths-politico/
Here’s the link to Sarvis telling Kerry Eleveld at The Advocate that he blames the Pentagon: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/04/19/SLDN_DOD_Impeding_DADT_Vote/
Thanks. I’ll update the post shortly.
I once stood with LGBT with the cause of repealing don’t ask don’t tell…HOWEVER, when you disrespect the president much in the way of a teabagger you lose me. This was disrespectful, and frankly you have drowned out much more than the president, you have drowned out your argument. %^%& ALL OF LGBT you are no better than tea party thugs.
Sandy -
Thanks for the post. But I wonder why you supported the repeal of DADT if your allegiance can so easily be switched.
The tea party people have the right to any job they can get and won’t be ignored or fired because of who they are, regardless of their merit and contribution; the tea party people have the right to civil marriage – we don’t; the tea party people, even if they are felons or just plain dumb, have the right to – and do – join the military, serve and fight and die for the country they love – even if that country officially declares them second class citizens.
These protesters observed their First Amendment right to free speech – and they paid for that right – at $500 a head for three of them and $250 for the other three. Since they had no other access to the President – they chose this venue to plead their case that all they want is the same equality you might take for granted. They did not come with signs featuring Obama with a Hitler mustache or carry a machine gun arguing their Second Amendment right.
They shouted for equality. And if one day you lose your freedom to be who you are in America, maybe then you’ll understand.
gaylib, let’s not be glib
.
Nancy Pelosi is not Congress. If we are to recall Nancy Pelosi’s power, let’s not forget she had to gut her bill to exclude the public option and negotiate executive orders banning federal funding for abortion.
Some people seem to be under the delusion that Pelosi or Obama have more sway over Congressmen and Senators than their constituents. But sadly it’s not Obama or Pelosi who can guarantee these politicians reelection.
In other words, stop trying to take the easy route and lobby every single congressman and senator that could help the DADT repeal along. It’s not like Obama’s finger-wagging at Cingress has gotten him much besides mutilated bills and stalled legislation.
Pray tell? What President has done more for gay issues than President Obama? The yelling was disrespectful & rude. Or do you suppose republicans will do more for your cause? Since some have shown such disrespect for the President, I hope you get NOTHING.
I thought the heckling was incredibly misguided. Obama inherited a country in shambles and within his first year in office signed a stimulus bill into law that saved and generated jobs, reformed healthcare, got the first Hispanic appointed to the Supreme Court and signed the Fair Pay Act into law among other accomplishments. He has shown his commitment to human rights. A display such as this cheapens the cause.
I fail to see how disrupting a fundraiser does anything to further your cause. Obama has taken steps in the right direction for health care reform, wars overseas, our world image, and gay (visitation) rights. He cannot be everywhere at once.
In my opinion, this type of display puts you in the same bucket as the brainwashed right disrupting town hall meetings. You message will be heard, but at what price? Public perception is EVERYTHING – it’s the foundation for the entire Fox News network – truth be damned.
Equality for the LGBT community is one of the last, greatest civil rights battles that our generation will see. Please fight valiantly with honor and respect for those that agree and for those that disagree!
Congrats on your courage. I hope Obama and BB really heard you.