Watchers at the Gate
P.O. Box 27217
Washington, D.C. 20038
(202) 462-0757

January 24, 1993
President Clinton
White House
Washington, D.C.

Dear President Bill Clinton and Family,

Howdy, neighbors: congratulations and welcome to your new home!! Allow me to introduce ourselves.

In 1981 I began a symbolic vigil in Lafayette (we call it "Peace") Park. My favorite sign reads "Wanted: Wisdom & Honesty." Concepcion has also maintained a vigil since 1981, her motto is "Truth is my sword." In 1984 we were joined by Ellen, whose sign reads, "Trust God and Disarm Everywhere." (Ellen voted for you, and feels rejuvenated by your success.)

We share the beliefs that "Violence is The Problem," and -- with a little wisdom and honesty in high places -- peace on earth is not only possible, but, for the continued existence of the human race, essential. We believe that the logical, if not only, alternative to Peace through Strength is Peace through Reason.

We are only trying to live our beliefs to the best of our ability. Convince me of our error and I will devote my every waking hour to any task you assign. Establish Peace through Reason and I will feel no need to remain in Peace Park. Perhaps we are idealists, maybe even eccentric, but we have harmed neither person nor property, nor acted irrationally. For your convenience, the accompanying news clippings are a reality check on the representations made in this letter.

Although we've caused no harm, during our old neighbors' reigns (1981-1992) four (4) regulations were promulgated which, very "legally," impacted our ability to communicate with the public. For example, while agreeing that we are entitled to food, water, blankets, literature and plastic to protect ourselves from the elements, the most recent regulation requires all these articles be limited to "three cubic feet," which is physically impossible. Attached is a list of -- mostly federal -- court cases and the regulations. I suppose this body of law represents our status quo when your administration took office.

Frankly, we think our old neighbors left a legacy of really bad legal precedent. We pray our new neighbors want to live in peace and harmony with with the human race, and have a higher regard for the sanctity of a public forum than did our last neighbors.

I would welcome an opportunity to discuss the rationality of 36 C.F.R. 7.96(j)(1)(2) (the "three cubic foot" regulation). I realize that you are very busy. I will be happy to put my thoughts on paper; then we can reason through correspondence.

In service to the Spirit of Life and Love,

cc: Slyvion Seffel, Clinton Transition Team, Vermont Ave. division.

OUR STATUS QUO?

Thomas v. Lujan, 791 F. Supp. 321; USDC Cir. No. 92-5204, currently pending the government's Motion for Summary Affirmance

Thomas v. News World Communications, 681 F. Supp. 55-74 (1988)

Thomas v. United States, 696 F. Supp. 702-714 (1988)

United States v. Harmony, 702 F. Supp. 295 (1988)

United States v. Picciotto, 875 F.2d 345 (1989)

United States v. Picciotto and Thomas, USDC Cr. No. 82-243

United States v. Picciotto and Thomas, USDC Cr. No. 82-358 (1983)

United States v. Thomas, USDC Cr. No. 83-0056 (1983)

United States v. Thomas, USDC Cr. No. 91-232

United States v. Thomas, 557 A.2d 1296 (Dist. Col. 1989)

United States v. Thomas, et al, USDC Cr. Nos. 87-62, 87-64 (1987)

United States v. Thomas and Thomas, 864 F.2d 188 (1988)

*United States v. Thomas, Thomas, Thomas, Picciotto, Dorrough, Manning and Nelson, USDC Cr. 84-255 (1984)

FOUR REGULATIONS

"CAMPING" -- 36 C.F.R. 7.96(g)(vii), 36 C.F.R. 7.96(i)(1);
Federal Register,, June 4, 1982, Vol. 47, No. 108, p. 24299-24306

"WHITE HOUSE SIDEWALK REGULATION" 36 C.F.R. 7.96(g)(5)(viii)
36 C.F.R. 7.96(g)(5)(ix); Federal Register, June 17, 1983, Vol. 48, No. 118, ps. 28058-28063 .

"LAFAYETTE PARK SIGN SIZE REGULATIONS" 36 C.F.R. 7.96(g)(5)(x)(A)(1); 36 C.F.R. 7.96(g)(5)(x)(A)(2) 36 C.F.R. 7.96(g)(5)(x)(A)(3); 36 C.F.R. 7.96(g)(5)(x)(A)(4); 36 C.F.R. 7.96(g)(5)(x)(B)(2); Federal Register, March 5, 1986, Vol. 51, No. 43, p. 7556-7566.

"THREE CUBIC FOOT REGULATION" 36 C.F.R. 7.96(j)(1)(2); Federal Register Vol. 57 No. 25, ps. 4574-4576


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