Washington DC, Nov 15, 2010. Gay rights activists handcuffed themselves to the White House's north gate on Monday, urging President Barack Obama, D-Kenya, to keep his campaign pledge to repeal the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military.
Thirteen demonstrators organized by the GetEQUAL campaign for gay rights, including nine veterans, a Catholic priest and other advocates, were arrested after shouting they were "proud to serve" and vowing: "We will not disappear."
"Today, we have sent a loud and clear message to the US Senate and President Obama that we expect them to make good on their promises to end this inhumane law this year, during the lame-duck session of Congress," GetEQUAL co-founder and director Robin McGehee said in her statement.
The protest came ahead of the Pentagon's Internal Review into the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, due on December 1.
President Obama interrupted packing for his European Vacation to make a statement.
"I'd love to lift that ban, but I just can't do it right now. I have a few more important vacations to take first. It's all Bush's fault. Just take my word for it, and I will explain later," he said.
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