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Lt. Choi, Capt. Pietrangelo Still in Jail Awaiting Hearing

03/19/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
Lt. Dan Choi and Captain Jim Pietrangelo are still in jail today. What is delaying their release is currently not fully know and may be due to either a bail hearing not being set, or that neither have requested a bond or bail be posted for them. Another probability is that their release is being delayed until after the hearing later today when they will likely be going straight from the jail to the brig. Lt. Choi faces likely court marshal for breaking the Uniform Code of Military Justice and being arrested while in uniform.

The likelihood is that he will face jail time in a military prison and receive a dishonorable discharge from the military. He will no longer be discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Unfortunately, as many of those who have spoken out against his actions have pointed out, this now means that he is no longer being discharged as a member of a minority persecuted by an unjust and ineffective law, but rather a lawbreaker discharged rightfully.

David Mixner, who has described himself as an “author, political strategist, civil rights activist and public affairs advisor David Mixner blogs on his passions: progressive politics, foreign policy, LGBT rights and wildlife advocacy”, has offered to pay the bail of anyone who was arrested in DC and San Francisco yesterday, according to reports.

Mixner did say on his blog “Are these the beginning stages of a new civil rights movement? Are we willing to escalate our tactics in order to press those in power to show leadership and demand our freedom? I honestly don’t know. But I have hope.”

Just how much and how far this goes depends upon a lot of factors, including whether or not these efforts can garner the attention of the Mainstream Media. Yesterday’s efforts barely made a ripple in the MSM largely due to the media’s focus on healthcare reform and the growing tensions between the United States and Israel. This was, unfortunately, part of the problem when the Prop 8 rallies began following the 2008 election. Media attention was elsewhere. Soon, Congress will be turning its focus on job creation and immigration, two areas where the LGBT Community has tended to suffer the most discrimination outside of marriage rights.

According to reports, Admiral Mike Mullen is furious with Lt. Choi as well as retired General John Sheehan for their behaviors yesterday. It is likely that Admiral Mullen will make sure that the book is thrown at Lt. Choi rather hard for protesting in his uniform.