LGBTQ Activists Danced To Rihanna Songs Outside Mike Pence’s Washington Home
The group rallied against “Daddy Pence” on Wednesday night.
Around 200 LGBTQ activists and protestors gathered near the Washington, DC, home of Vice President-elect Mike Pence Wednesday night to hold what they described as a “queer dance party.”
The party was intended as a protest of Pence's record on civil rights and particularly, his support of numerous anti-LGBTQ policies.
Social media posts show the group dancing to Rihanna and Drake's "Work." Reporters on the scene said the protestors chanted "Daddy Pence, come dance" outside the house where Pence is staying until he moves into the official vice presidential residence, the United States Naval Observatory. Pence, however, was out hosting the Vice President-elect's Inaugural Dinner at the National Portrait Gallery.
"We are here tonight to send a clear message to Daddy Pence that we will not tolerate bigotry and hate in our country," CNN quotes organizer Firas Nasr as saying. "We are here today to take the streets as our dance floor."
The gathering was organized by WERK for Peace, a grassroots organization formed in the wake of the Pulse nightclub tragedy in Orlando. Check out what went down via the tweets below.
Big group of gay and transgender rights protesters marching on Western Avenue right now. They are headed to VP elect Mike Pence's house. pic.twitter.com/plWt8VEhEu
— Tom Roussey (@tomrousseyABC7) January 18, 2017
Hundreds are dancing to @rihanna outside of VP Elect Mike Pence's DC house to protest what they view as his anti-gay policies. pic.twitter.com/Kim1nbAjHi
— Ellison Barber (@ellisonbarber) January 19, 2017
Dance protest has arrived - now dancing a half a block from Mike Pence's rental house. Were chanting "Daddy Pence, come dance" pic.twitter.com/kaUEbUXxAC
— Betsy Klein (@betsy_klein) January 19, 2017
These are the streets outside Mike Pence's house in D.C., shut down by activists throwing a Queer Dance Party tonight. Pure jubilance. pic.twitter.com/GrJAgvSZBh
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) January 19, 2017
"We are here / we are queer / we will dance" chants at #LGBTQ dance party outside Mike Pence's house on his last night living there pic.twitter.com/N4ZkQVF8qB
— Alexander Rubinstein (@AlexR_DC) January 19, 2017
More from tonight. Party outside Mike Pence's house. @werkforpeace #WeWillDance pic.twitter.com/QCEpu3mhyi
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 19, 2017
Police blockaded the way about a block from Pence's, but stood by calmly. "Just as the police would do in any democratic country." —Nasr pic.twitter.com/YPzLhsmAZz
— Jack Smith IV (@JackSmithIV) January 19, 2017