California man arrested near US Capitol with 10-foot guillotine, father says he only wanted to protest

Philemon Le, a 35-year-old tattoo artist from Southern California, was arrested near the U.S. Capitol after being found with a 10-foot-tall wooden guillotine. The arrest occurred Tuesday outside the Library of Congress, where Le was charged with carrying a dangerous weapon in public.

According to his father, Huy Le, his son had traveled to Washington D.C. specifically to stage a political protest. The elder Le told NBC San Diego that his son had no intention of causing harm and planned to use a mannequin, representing a corrupt politician, as part of his demonstration. "He thought he would express his discontent. Something like using a mannequin that represents someone he considers a corrupt politician; putting the name on the mannequin and probably recording a video to send to his silly friends," Huy Le explained.

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There are a lot of unelected officials making all the decisions in this place and getting us into international conflicts and endless wars.

Philemon Le reportedly spent at least three months constructing the guillotine and had left his California home a week prior to his arrest. He has since pleaded not guilty in a Washington court and was released on conditional release as his legal process continues.

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He thought he would express his discontent. Something like using a mannequin that represents someone he considers a corrupt politician; putting the name on the mannequin and probably recording a video to send to his silly friends.