JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:
If you've walked in front of the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue just about anytime in the last 44 years, you've probably seen a small protest - a peace vigil, a tent enclosure surrounded by signs calling for nuclear disarmament and the end of global conflict. It has been staffed 24/7 since 1981 by volunteers through hurricanes, blizzards and seven presidents as a condition of it being allowed to be there.
MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:
But it has also always had its share of people who don't like it, including Brian Glenn, a correspondent with the conservative TV network Real America's Voice. He brought it to President Trump's attention last week.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BRIAN GLENN: It is an eyesore.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Oh, I didn't know that.
GLENN: Well, let me...
(CROSSTALK)
TRUMP: Take it down. Take it down today, right now.
KELLY: About 36 hours after Trump's command to take it down, the main tarp that protects the structure from the elements was forcibly removed by federal police and National Park Service workers early Sunday morning.
WILL ROOSIEN: I was here by myself, and then - what do you know? - 10 large strong men come, and they tell me that they're going to remove this and then tore it down in a matter of five minutes.
SUMMERS: Will Roosien, a 24-year-old volunteer, was there when police came to take down the structure's protective tarp.
ROOSIEN: I found out how strong and well made the tent was. When I jumped on top of it, I about bounced to the moon, and then they ordered me to get off of it. I said, no, of course. And they ripped me off, put me in handcuffs.
SUMMERS: Our producer, Jordan-Marie Smith, spoke with Roosien this week right next to the vigil, which was still somewhat intact minus the tarp. Signs still read, love trumps hate and end nuclear threat. Roosien, who just started volunteering at the protest this year, spoke about its importance.
ROOSIEN: The decisions that are being made in secret inside the White House that have an effect on millions or billions of people around the world, it's important that those decisions and the consequences of those decisions are reflected out on its lawn. And that's what this peace vigil is, is it's a reminder that decisions have consequences.
KELLY: When asked for comment, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers wrote, President Trump is committed to the public safety of D.C. residents and visitors, as well as the beautification of our nation's capital. Rogers went on, this tent was a hazard to those visiting the White House and the surrounding areas.
Roosien noted that volunteers do not sleep in the tent. They have homes elsewhere. It is not a homeless encampment and said no rats, no weapons were inside the enclosure, just protest materials. And Roosien had one more message for Trump.
ROOSIEN: Peace prevails, baby. Peace prevails. He can't kill peace. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
