HRC and its new lobbyist, comedian Kathy Griffin, are holding a rally today to support the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Oddly, the rally is not on Capitol Hill or in front of the White House. It’s at Freedom Plaza, which is across from D.C. City Hall. (The reality is that is basically the setting for an episode of Griffin’s reality tv show.)
But, I just learned that Lt. Dan Choi is at the event and made a statement. He’s working with GetEqual, the organization promising direct action. Here’s a copy of Dan’s statement, which I got via email:
Hello. My name is Lt. Dan Choi. I am being discharged from the US Army because I am gay and dared to say it out loud.
Today, I am here on a mission with Capt. Jim Pietrangelo, and we are asking you all to join us. We’re calling you to action because we are at a turning point — a moment in time where talk is no longer enough, and action is required.
Equality is not going to happen by itself.
You have been told that the President has a plan. But Congressman Barney Frank confirmed to us this week that the President still is not fully committed to repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell this year.
And if we don’t seize this moment it may not happen for a very long time.
Some may tell you that I am one of the lucky ones. I have been welcomed back by my unit with open arms. And it would be easy for me to stay quiet and hope that change will happen.
But what I was taught at West Point and learned in war is — hope is not a strategy. As officers, James and I both find it a dereliction of our moral duty to remain silent while thousands of our brothers and sister are not allowed to serve openly and honestly.
Capt. Pietrangelo was honorably discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell in 2004 and I will be subject to the same shortly. As officers we are here today fighting for those in the ranks, and we need our Commander in Chief to do the same.
Our fight is not here at Freedom Plaza, it is at the White House. We are walking to the White House right now to send the President a message. So…take out your cell phones and your cameras. Document this moment. Join us as together — we make history
Stay tuned. This could get interesting…very interesting. Dan is heading to the White House.
John is at Freedom Plaza. He just texted that Kathy Griffin is going to with Dan to the White House.
