DC settles with left-wing protester who tailed National Guard while playing Darth Vader theme song

The District of Columbia has agreed to settee a suit filed by a protester who tailed an Ohio National Guard patrol portion playing Darth Vader’s taxable opus from "Star Wars" connected his cellphone earlier being arrested. 

Sam O’Hara volition person $50,000 aft alleging helium was unlawfully detained and subjected to excessive force, according to a Thursday tribunal filing obtained by The Associated Press (AP).

O’Hara, who works successful the hospitality manufacture arsenic an artist, said helium is satisfied with the colony but conflicted that taxpayers are covering the cost.  

"Those who really violated my law rights should beryllium the ones paying the price, similar taking the wealth from their pensions. That’s what existent accountability looks like," helium said successful a statement, according to The AP.

DC GUARD SHOOTING SUSPECT STARES DOWN DEATH PENALTY IN FIRST COURT APPEARANCE

National Guard members stitchery astatine the Capitol, connected Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, successful Washington, D.C. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

On Sept. 11, 2025, O’Hara reportedly walked behind several National Guard troops down a thoroughfare and played "The Imperial March" from "Star Wars" connected his phone.  

He alleged that his protest, which the suit characterized arsenic satire, was aimed astatine President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops patrolling D.C. neighborhoods 

According to the lawsuit, 1 of the National Guard members called police, who stopped O’Hara and kept him handcuffed "tightly" for 15 to 20 minutes earlier releasing him without charges. 

NFL STAR'S BROTHER CHARGED WITH MURDER OF MOTHER AFTER POLICE FOUND HIM SELF-BARRICADED NEAR BODY

South Carolina National Guard soldiers support ticker arsenic travelers get astatine the entranceway to Union Station adjacent the Capitol, Thursday, Aug 21, 2025, successful Washington, D.C.  (Mariam Zuhaib/AP Photo)

The pursuing month, O’Hara sued Washington, D.C., 4 Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers and an Ohio National Guard member. 

In tribunal documents, O’Hara alleged the defendants violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights, accusing them of unlawfully restricting escaped code and initiating an unlawful seizure portion utilizing excessive force.

The suit sought compensatory and punitive damages for claims including mendacious imprisonment, artillery and law retaliation.

National Guard members patrol the National Mall successful Washington, DC, connected Aug. 30, 2025. (Andrew Leyden/Getty)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Last August, Trump began deploying National Guard members aft declaring a transgression exigency successful the nation’s capital.

The accrued national beingness heightened tensions among immoderate residents successful the heavy Democratic territory who criticized the deployment arsenic an overreach of national authority. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.