Washington Post - Two Worlds Collide Near White House

The Washington Post, Thursday, December 22, 1994

Two Worlds Collide Near White House

Shooting Puts Focus On Pennsylvania Divide

By DeNeen L. Brown and Wendy Melillo
Washington Post Staff Writers

Usually the two worlds are parallel in the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue: the White House on one side, representing power and some sanity, and Lafayette Square on the other, filled with the powerless, homeless and demonstrators, some who slip in and out of lucidity as they mount angry protests.

On Tuesday, the two sides collided when a homeless man dashed across the avenue and allegedly attacked a U.S. Park Police officer, whose job it is to secure the grounds around the White House.

The man, identified as Marcelino Corniel, 33, who was shot twice--in the chest and leg--had lived in the park for several mouths. He died yesterday at George Washington University Hospital.

Yesterday, a number of demonstrators and homeless people who stay in the park said they believed Corniel had "snapped" because he was angry about what they called police harassment. They said Corniel was upset that Park Police had taken away two lockers belonging to some of his homeless friends. One man said that Corniel wanted revenge because officers had taken away his blankets.

The shooting on the sidewalk in front of the White House has brought new attention to the world of Lafayette Square, a green square once called Presidents Park that has become a grand stage for world protests and a symbol of the American right to freedom of speech.

Yesterday, Frank Fahrenkopf, the former national chairman of the Republican Party, called for officials to clear out the park. "The American people should have the right to bring their kids to see the people's house without having bums abuse them or yell or scream or see people lying in their own filth," Fahrenkopf said.

The park, which was once the front lawn of the White House, has become a neighborhood--the homeless and demonstrators live on park benches instead of in houses. The anti-government- demonstrators have claimed the sidewalk along Pennsylvania Avenue as their territory. Homeless people congregate not far away in the northeast and northwest comers of the park. During the day, they wait on benches, talking Some drink from paper bags and others just sit and stare. Mostly, they wait for food, for sandwich wagons, gracious souls who bring fruit and office workers who deliver leftovers from office parties.

At night, they fend off rats and sit straight up as they "nap" to avoid citations for sleeping-prohibited in the park. As in any neighborhood, there is neighborly tension. "Basically, they have it good on the front line, said a homeless woman named Robin, who moved to the park six months ago, who sits on a cushion on a bench near 15th and H streets NW. "They get stuff on the front line all the time, and they don't tell us about it. We don't get along. They just act snobbish."

Concepcion Picciotto, a woman who has kept a vigil directly across the street from the White House since 1978 to protest nuclear weapons, said she is not part of the group of homeless people. I'm not connected with that," she said dipping a brush in a can of green paint as she drew a peace sign and a dove on a stone. I'm here, to communicate my cause and paint my rocks.

Not far from her live the "Jackson brothers," who are protesting the "assassination" of their father, who they say was a presidential adviser. They also claim to be direct descendants of at least five presidents. They complain about police. "They take a stick and come by in the morning and bang on the boards and scream,'Get up,' "Walter Jackson said.

U.S. Park Police patrol day and night to enforce federal laws that prohibit people from camping in the park. Park Police Maj. Robert H. Hines said security has been increased since Oct. 29, when more than a dozen shots were fired at the White House, allegedly by a Colorado man. He said two officers instead of one are now assigned to patrol the two beats, the sidewalk in front of the White House and the park. Hines denied that officers are harassing people in the park.

He said officers are just trying to enforce the law against camping, "I think each officer allows a little latitude. If someone falls asleep, they might let them sleep for an hour or two," he said. "But if they have been Sleeping all night long, we wake them up. We don't want to get the appearance the park is a camp site."

14 JAHRE FUR DEN FRIEDEN

TAG UND NACHT VORM WEIBEN HOUS;
14 JAHRE FUR DEN FRIEDEN
Von unserem Korrespondenten Peter W, Sschroeder
BREMER
Sonntag, 19, Juni 1994
NACHRICHTEN
Washington, Amerikaniche Peasidenten Kommen und gehen,, aber sie bleibt; Concepcion Picciotto Vor l4 Jahren zog die geburtige Spanieren mit Friedensplakaten vor das WeiBe Haus und und blieb. Sie hat ihren Plaatz seit uber 5000 Tagen und Nachten nicht mehrr verlassen, Wenn die da ver nunftig werden" sagt die 49jahrige Frau und zeigt auf den gegenuberliegenden Amtssitz des Prasidenten, dann kann ich in die Gesellscraft zuruckkehren :Abersieist beinahe sicher, auf dem Pflaster vor dem WeiBen Hous zu sterben.
Etlichen Amerikanern war und ist Concepcion ein Dorn im Auge,, Fur die ehemalige First Lady Nancy Reagan war die Dauerdemostrantin mit ihren beleiddigenden Transparenten: ein :Schandfleck: Der damalige Innenminister betrachtete die Friedenskampferin als Sicherheitsriisiko und verbot jegliche Demostration auf demm Gehweg vor der Schlaf und Arbeitsstatte des Prasidenten Daraufhin siedelte Concepcion zur enderen StraBenseite uber, an den Rand des Lafayette-Parks. Dort wird sie haufig von patriotischen Amerikanern angepobelt.
Wahrend des Golfkrieges wurde sie von einem Marines zusammengeschlgen, Ein in der Nahe stehender Polizist drehte sich um sah weg. Auch die Administration bemuht sich seit Jahren mit UNO-Angestellte Concepcion zu vertreiben, Beispielsweise dart sich niemand in der Nahe des WeiBen Houses Schlafen legen, Wenn ein Demosntrant sich weiter als einen Meter von seinen Besitztumern- ein-schlieBlich der Protesttschilder- entfernt…..
, durten sie von den sprungbereiten Polizisten beschlagnahmt werden.
Mit dem Einzug von Bill Clinton sind die Belastigungen seltener geworden" sagt die Dauerdemonstrantin, Hillary Clinton-Fan ist Concepcion deshalb noch lange nicht geworden. Der ist elwas besser als die anderen, aber fur den Frieden tut er nich genug Auch unter Clinton gilt weiterhin das Schlafverbot vor dem WeiBen Haus, Inzwischen hat sich Concepcion das Schlafwn abgwohnt. Irgendwann in der Nacht hockt sie sich aufeinen kleinen Karton und dost vor sich hin. Mehr als drei Stunden Ruhe Kommen aberr nur in wenigen Nachten Zusammen.
Im Winter, wenn die Quecksilbersaule oft auf mehi als 20 Grad minus fallt, macht sie die Augen immer nur fur ein paar Minuten zu= aus Angst vor dem Erfrieren. Ansonsten furchtet sie nur noch vor dem, Erfrieren, Ansonsten furchtet sie sich nur noch vor dem Alter,

Passanten drucken ihr gelegentlich Dollarscheine in die Hand, DDaavon laBt sie Handzettel mit Friedensbotschften drucken und kaufl blaue und weiBe Farbe, mit der sie Friedenstauben auf Steine malt. Die Stteine verschenkt sie als Mahnung, daB wir Frieden brauchen" Sie sollen auch ihr Vermachtnis sein,, Die Friedenstauben wird es noch geben, wenn ich nicht mehr demonstrieren kann.

Protesten als dagtaak

Protesten als dagtaak

jan doets america tours

amerika & canada
revue 1994

ledere dag en ledere nacht. Van's ochtends vroeg tot 's avonds laat. Op een beschelden stukje stoep in Lafayette Park, recht tegenover de ingang van het Witte Huls. Connie Picciotto demonstreert sinds 1 augustus 1981 onafgebroken tegen misstanden in de wereld. Als buurvrouw van al drie presidenten is demonstreren haar dagtaak geworden. Samen met haar vriend William Thomas en deeehoorns in het park. Geen van de buren heeeft ze echter ooit ontmoet. Ze vindt Bill Clinton sympathiek, maar betwijfelt of hij haar zal ultnodigen. Haar boodschap: vrede, vrijheld en grechtigheld in de wereld. Acties als "Live By The Bomb...Die by the Bomb' en "Civilized People do not Nuke Fellow Humans'.

Ze zijn mede-oprichters van het White House Anti-Nuclear Peace Vigil. Ze claimt het moderne record voor het langste presidentiele proptest. Deelt pamfletten uit, praat met voorbijgsangers, stelt haar vriend zijn protestborden ten toon. De boodschap is simpel: vrede, vrijheid en gerechtigheid. Neit zo simpel. Dat blijkt uit de reacties. Connie en haar vriend zijn bedreigd en gearressteerd door de politie, geslagen en uitgedaagd door vreemden, genegeerd door de meerheid van hun publiek.

"We offeren veel," zegtt Connie Picciotto, die 43 jaar is. "Maar we houden het vol, want het is het waard."

Een bijzonder leven van een vrouw die geboren is in het westen van Spanje. Ze was al vroeg weeskind. Connie Picciotto werd opgevoed door haar grootmoeder. Toen deze overleed besloot zij naar de VerenigdeStaten te emigreen. Ze was toen 18 jaar oud. Op 21-jarigeleeftijd ontmoette ze een Italiaanse zakenman met wie ze later trouwde. Ze vond een baan als secretaresse op het Spaanse Consulaat. In 1980 ging ze werken als babysitter. In haar vrije tijd begon ze zich op te houden voor het Witte Huis met haar handgeschreven protestborden. Haar roep om gerechtigheid. Ze schreef ook brieven. Op een brief aan Lilian Carter kreeg ze de volgende reactie, "Ik sympathiseer met je zaak, maar ik ben duizend kilometer weg en heb geen macht."

Bevriend

Gaandeweg raakte ze bevriend met andere demonstranten. Ze breidde haar acties uit met protesten tegen de nucleaire bewapening. Ze raakte steeds meer doordrongen van haar doel. Uiteindelijk, op een warme dag halverwege Ronald Reagan's eerste presidentsjaar, pakte ze haar bezittingen en nam de bus near Lafayette Park. Sindsdien verbijft ze daar. Ze leeft op koffie, donuts en brood. Af en toe brengen vrienden haar kaas, fruit en sandwiches. Ze gebruikt het toilet van het nabigelen restaurant en neemt af en toe een douche in een opvangcentrum voor daklozen in het centrum. Germiddid slaapt ze drie uur per dag. Leunend tegen een van haar protestborden.

Kou

"De winters zijn het ergst,"zegt mevrouw Picciotto. Er is geen enkele kleding bestand tegen de kou. De meeste nachten 'ijsbeert' ze dan ook over de stoep om zichzelf warm te houden. Ze leeft van donaties. Op een goede dag 'verdient' ze 15 dollar. Ze geeft het geld uit aan voedsel, het drukken van pamfletten en verf voor haar 'peace rocks' waar ze een aantal jaren geleden mee begon. Nu zijn het populaire souveneirs geworden voor de toeristen, hoewel ze weigert om er geld voor te vragen.

Bedregingen zijn haar grootste zorg Het varieeret van verbaal geweld tot lichamelijk letsel. Acht jaar geleden stompte een marinier haar het gezicht. Soms zijn er bedreigingen van enkele daklozen die het park bewonen. De parkpolitie is een verhaal apart. Slapen wordt beschouwd als kamperen - verboden - en het achterlaten van posters is eveneens verboden. Regelmatig moeten ze op de vlucht. Ondanks die tegenslagen blijzij waar ze is. "Ik kan teruggan naaar de samenleving en gewoon mijn geld verdienen. God heeft echter een belangrijkere taak voor mij uitgekozen."
P.S. van Jan Doets: "Wanneer u een bezoek brengt aan Washington D.C., gaat u dan ook eens langs bij mevrouw Picciotto."

The Washington Post Friday, May 13, 1994

The Washington Post
Friday, May 13, 1994

History in The Square

By Linda Wheeler
Washington Post Staff Writer

Robert Smith says he's got the best address in Washington. right across the street from the White House.

"I live in Lafayette Park because of the White House over there, the Treasury over there and the Blair House around the corner." said the 4O-year-old homeless man who has dodged police intent on moving him out of the park for six months. What allows me to feel like an impor- tant person."

The location has made the seven-acre federal preserve, once known as the Presidents Park but officially named Lafayette Square in 1834. an international crossroads, the grand stage for protests and for inaugural parades. Nearly every day it is filled by tourists photographing the live-in demonstrators, the homeless panhandling from office workers and bicycle messengers whizzing past chess players and picnickers.

To preserve this contemporary history, the staff of the National Trust for Historic Reservation is recording comments of those who use the great expanse of green lawn dotted with statues of heroes of the early republic and crisscrossed with red and black brick walks.

Michele Craig. director of education for the Decatur House, a national trust property that faces the 204-year-old park. Mid she was inspired to begin the year-long project when her grand- mother recounted childhood memories of Washington and taking tea the nearby Hay-Adams thing that happens every day and everyone experiences it in their own way."

The National Trust is collecting the park's history under a red-and- white stripped tent outside the Decatur House at Jackson Place and H street NW. As people stop by to view historical photographs, they are invited to contribute to the oral history. By yesterday, nearly 300 had stopped by, and Craig said 35 to 40 of them will be contacted for follow-up interviews.

Meridith Smoke, 70, of Washington, told Craig she always brings out-of-town visitors to the park, walking them to all four corners to see the statues and introducing them to the peace demonstrators who have kept a round-the-clock vigil for more than a decade.

One of those demonstrators is Concepcion Picciotto, 47, who has became an unofficial park hostess. Visitors regularly hock around her and listen to her ambling discourse on international issues and corruption at home.

When a group of German visitors came through the park recently, she had fliers to hand out in German. Shortly afterwards, eighth-graders visiting from Montgomery, Vt., photo- graphed her as she displayed the rocks she had painted in primary colors and decorated with white doves. For a donation, 1 visitor can take a peace stone home.

"My work is this work." she told the children. "I take no welfare. I don't take nothing. We have to work for world peace."

Next to Piccioto, an evangelical minister from San Diego had set up a stepladder, climbed up and, holding the Bible aloft, began reciting passages. Picciotto was irritated that he stood so dose to her aged protest signs. He was, she said, taking attention away from her message.

Apostle John C. Zahos. 33, said the Lord directed him to fly to Washington and to preach in Lafayette Square. Next to him, Collin Spruill Spruill. 28, of Washington, played Amazing Grace on a trumpet, saying afterward he hoped President Clinton would bring out his saxophone for a duet. Craig said she plans to go into the park in the next few weeks to interview Smith, Picciotto, Zahos, Spruill and others. During Historic Preservation Week next year, Craig said the statements and photographs of those interviewed will be on exhibit at the Decatur House.

For an the people who view the park as a place to protest or demonstrate. there are many more who see it as a convenient place to play or exercise.

Tom Roberts, 28. an accountant, spends his lunch hour hoping to find a challenging partner for a game of chess. He sets up his board and takes on all competitors. "At lunch time, this is the place to be for chess," he said.

Veteran's Administration employee John Standard. 51. uses the lawn as an exercise mat. The park, he said, is convenient to his office around the corner.

James Sledge. 23, a National Park Service employee for two years. said he would like to talk to Craig but he is too busy mowing the gas twice a week and planting' salvia and dusty miller in flower beds. *This is my park," he said as his red Jacobsen mower rumbled along chopping everything to a uniform two inch height. It is a big spacey piece. with a little group here and littie group there. There is room for everybody."