THOMAS v. REAGAN
USDC Cr. No. 84-3552
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
WILLIAM THOMAS, et al
Plaintiff Pro Se
versus CA 84-3552
Judge Louis Oberdorfer
UNITED STATES, et al
Defendants
DECLARATION OF WILLIAM THOMAS
ON NOVEMBER 21, 1986
I, William Thomas, plaintiff pro se in the above entitled
action, hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the following
is accurate and correct to the best of my recollection and
understanding.
1. During the afternoon of November 10, 1986, I was engaged
in the same activity in which I have been engaged since June 3,
1981 (see Memorandum in Support of the Motion for Joinder of Claims
Against Lt. Hugh Irwin).
2. At one point I left Lafayette Park for less than four
minutes before returning to the south central sidewallk of the Park
where there are several signs which measure four foot x four foot,
and are used by myself, the White House Antinuclear Vigil, and the
Peace Park Antinuclear Vigil to communicate with the public on
issues of broad public concern.
3. Upon my return to the area of the signs I noticed that U.S.
Park Police Lt. Hugh Irwin was standing near two signs, one of
which announced the number of days (44) since my friend Charles
Hyder had eaten any food. The other sign addressed respect for the
planet, and the sorry choice of radioactive material.
4. After I had stood next to Lt. Irwin for a couple of minutes
in silence, I asked him why he was there.
5. He told me that he was going to confiscate "this stuff."
6. I inquired, "Why?"
7. Lt. Irwin said because it was "unattended," in violation
of 36 CFR 50.19(e)(11)(12).
8. There were several articles (not mine) in the immediate
area. I told Lt. Irwin that I had no objection if he wanted to
confiscate the articles. I also informed him that I was watching
the signs.
9. Lt. Irwin insisted that the signs were "unattended."
10. I suggested that if he wanted to punish me for being more
than 3 feet away from the sign I had been attending that he should
issue me a citation rather than to confiscate the signs because I
was presently "attending" them.
11. "You're not here." Lt. Irwin told me.
12. U.S. Park Police officer Lanata arrived on the scene at
about that time. She was joined by several other officers who
arrived some minutes later.
13. At the instruction of Lt. Irwin one of the signs was
seized by a police officer. I held the other side of the sign.
14. At that time Lt. Irwin applied pressure to my neck and the
back of my head until I blacked out, and fell to the sidewalk.
15. I was placed under arrest.
16. Subsequently, on November 11, 1986, I was informed that
the charges against me had been dropped, and I was released from
custody.
17. Both of the signs which I was attending had very great
value. One sign addressed the issue of loving the Earth, and urged
humanity to choose Life rather than nuclear holocaust, the other
sign communicated to the public the stage of Charles Hyder's fast.
The loss of that sign may diminish the length or effectivness of my
friend's life.
Respectfully submitted this _____ day
of _________, 1986.
____________________________________
William Thomas, Plaintiff Pro Se
1440 N Street NW, #410
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 462-3542
Case Listing --- Proposition One ---- Peace Park