DC to pay $50,000 to man detained for playing 'Star Wars' song

The District of Columbia has agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by Sam O'Hara, who alleged that police officers unlawfully detained him. O'Hara claimed his First and Fourth Amendment rights were violated when officers stopped and handcuffed him for 15 to 20 minutes. The incident occurred on September 11, 2025, when O'Hara played the "Imperial March" theme from "Star Wars" on his cellphone as he followed several National Guard troops down a public street.

O'Hara, an artist, stated that his actions were a form of protest against the federal law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C., initiated by then-President Donald Trump. One of the National Guard members summoned police, leading to O'Hara's detention. The settlement, disclosed in a court filing, includes attorney's fees and costs, with O'Hara represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia.

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Those who actually violated my constitutional rights should be the ones paying the price, like taking the money from their pensions. That's what real accountability looks like.

While O'Hara expressed satisfaction with the settlement amount, he voiced conflict over taxpayers bearing the cost. "Those who actually violated my constitutional rights should be the ones paying the price, like taking the money from their pensions. That's what real accountability looks like," he said. He views the settlement as a reminder that "our freedoms are worth fighting for, especially when the powerful would rather we suffer in silence."

The settlement agreement states it is not an admission of wrongdoing by the district. O'Hara's claims against Sgt. Devon Beck, a member of the Ohio National Guard, remain unresolved, as Beck has asked a judge to dismiss the case against him. The federal surge of guard members in Washington began in August 2025 following an executive order by President Trump declaring a crime emergency in the capital, a move that had heightened tensions with residents.

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This settlement is a reminder that our freedoms are worth fighting for, especially when the powerful would rather we suffer in silence.