WASHINGTON, March 18 (UPI) -- Two Iraq War veterans chained themselves to the White House fence Thursday to protest the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on homosexuality.
The two men, identified as Lt. Dan Choi and James Pietrangelo, who reached the rank of captain in the Vermont National Guard before he was dismissed under the policy, were backed up by about 150 demonstrators, ABC News reported. Choi, a graduate of West Point, came out last year during an appearance on the "Rachel Maddow Show" on MSNBC and expects to be discharged.
The noise of the crowd attracted about 30 police officers to the scene. U.S. Park Police said Choi and Pietrangelo face charges of failing to follow lawful police orders.
President Obama has called for an end to the policy, which was adopted under President Bill Clinton. But gay activists complain he is moving too slowly.
"It's not just about Congress, but also the commander-in-chief," said John Aravosis of Washington. "People think they're moving ahead. It's not moving ahead at all. We may lose the house in November."
