White House Peace Activist Concepcion Picciotto Dies at 80
After heading the longest-running act of peaceful protest demonstrated in the U.S. history for decades, Concepcion Picciotto died at a housing facility operated by N Street Village in Washington at the age of 80.
Since 1981, Picciotto has started doing her vigil as she took a stand against the U.S.'s willingness to approve the use of nuclear weapons and support other nations with the same outlook. Her vigil was set up in Lafayette Park, in front of the White House with only a barrage of different protest posters, signs and tent. Two of her signage are those that read, "Live by the bomb die by the bomb" and "Ban all nuclear weapons or have a nice doomsday."
When Jonathan Karl, a correspondent of ABC News, asked Picciotto why she keeps on doing this vigil and constantly stands for what she believes in, she answered, "Because nobody will do it. Nobody will stand up."
In 2005, Picciotto told DCist that what inspired her to protest were the government's "corruption" and her desire to rail against nuclear weapons.
"Corruption. I used to live in New York, and something happened to me that opened my eyes to the reality of what this nation is doing, the government. And that is why I am here," Concepcion Picciotto said.
During her peaceful vigils, Picciotto would often spend her days inside a tent wearing a helmet, headscarf and wig to keep her head away from the effects of radio waves.
Before she was hit by a car in 2012, Picciotto used to give all of her time protesting and would only take a break to bath or to use the bathroom. But after the incident, her body grew weaker that she started to rely heavily on the younger members of the group.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Delegate to the U.S. Congress representing the District of Columbia, described Picciotto as "the living symbol for staying with a principled cause, such as nuclear non-proliferation and peace, until it is achieved, even when others grow tired."
Norton also shared in a statement last Tuesday how she was inspired by the extraordinary life of Picciotto. "At a time when people ask me whether I think we will ever achieve statehood, I think of extraordinary activists like Picciotto, who recognized that there is no progress without activism."
Meanwhile N Street Village is still yet to respond with the request for an interview. Picciotto's cause of death is still unknown.
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