Trump orders dismantling of peace vigil started in 1981

Law enforcement officials Sunday removed a peace vigil that had stood outside the White House for more than four decades after President Trump ordered it to be taken down as part of the clearing of homeless encampments in the nation's capital.

- BY PABLO MONSIVAIS AND FARNOUSH AMIRI

PHILIPOS Melaku-Bello has manned the site near the White House for years.

Philipos Melaku-Bello, a volunteer who has manned the vigil for years, told the Associated Press that the U.S. Park Police removed it early Sunday. He said officials justified the removal by mislabeling the memorial as a shelter.

"The difference between an encampment and a vigil is that an encampment is where homeless people live," Melaku-Bello said. "As you can see, I don't have a bed. I have signs and it is covered by the 1st Amendment right to freedom of speech and freedom of expression."

The White House confirmed the removal, telling the AP in a statement that the vigil was a "hazard to those visiting the White House and the surrounding areas."