On Monday, November 6, 2006, V visited security check points at the White House, the main Treasury, IRS and Justice Department Buildings and the Capitol. Vs purpose was to deliver the Peoples Petitions for Redress of Grievances relating to the Governments violations of the war powers, tax, privacy and money clauses of the Constitution, and to inform key Government officials that at least 100 more Vs would be at their doorstep on November 14th expecting a response to the Petitions. At the White House about a dozen Secret Service agents appeared on foot, bicycles and car to meet V. While virtuously assuring the security of the state, they were curious about the image of V and asked many questions. Most, when asked if they had seen the movie V for Vendetta, smiled their approval.
When an agent asked if V would remove his mask for identification purposes, V explained that would defeat the very purpose of the mask, which was to give expression to the fact that the nation was becoming a police state, that too many people were becoming afraid to be identified as dissenters or protestors, and that this was not in the long term interest of a free people. The agents accepted the veracity of Vs message and refrained from veering V from his vanguard visit as the vox populi.
Many law enforcement agents dutifully responded to the first impression security concerns caused by Vs dramatic and startling presence at the seat of governmental power. All but one who confronted V were generally pleasant, professional and ultimately respectful of the voraciously valued Rights of peaceful protest, dissent and Petition that V was claiming and exercising.
Unfortunately, there was one agent who, either out of vanity, vice, or emotional instability, believed his vows of service and badge would vindicate his use of violence where clearly none was justified.
One Secret Service agent near the White House, even after he and all the other agents had recognized that the toy daggers in Vs belt were plastic and part of the costume, and despite the clearly peaceful and non-threatening behavior of V, the officer forcefully seized the plastic daggers from Vs belt.
After a bit of mental gymnastics between the agent and V, amid the growing public spectacle and peer pressure from his fellow officers (who voiced their agreement with Vs logic and assertion of his Rights), V eventually prevailed over the vexed officer and succeeded in securing the return of the toy daggers.
The crowd by the White House gates also included activist Cindy Sheehan and her supporters who were demonstrating nearby and had gathered to observe the incident between V and the Secret Service. They let out a cheer as the SS agent stood down and returned the plastic knives.
At Vs request, a Secret Service agent called up to the White House to ask if someone would come to the gate to accept service of the papers. After 20 minutes or so, word came to the gate house that the papers should be mailed to the President. This was done the next day.
After departing from the White House, V walked around the White House compound to the security checkpoint at the Treasury Department. Treasury accepted service of the papers from V without incident. Other than the agent at the security check point who instructed V to use his phone to call the mail room, the only other person to speak with V was Mr. Lynch from the mail room.
The IRS building is apparently still closed due to the flooding experienced last summer. The agents at the security check point informed V that the papers would have to be delivered to IRS at 500 North Capitol Street. Rather than do that, the papers were mailed to the IRS Commissioner the next day.
At the Department of Justice several armed agents with Homeland Security patches on their arms, as well as DOJ security personnel met V. They too were very curious. There ensued another prolonged face-to-mask exchange of news, information, affirmations and assurances. Eventually, the officers determined that V and the camera person were not violating the DC code dealing with the wearing of masks on the streets of the city, or their refusal to produce identification, and that they were not a security threat. The protective security forces and agents from the DOJ arranged for a Mr. Burroughs to accept service of the Petitions for Redress for the agency.
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Poster Comment:
Go to the webpage to view pictures and the streaming video of V's visit to the capitol.