United States v. Stacy Abney

Appellant Abney is a World War II veteran who has carried on a 30-year controversy with the Veterans Administration (VA) over disability benefits. On June 17, 1975, for perhaps the ninth time since his discharge, he came to Washington from his home in Texas to press his claim at the headquarters office of the VA adjacent to Lafayette Park. Rebuffed again, he went across the street to the park to take up a round-the-clock vigil protesting his treatment at the hands of the VA. Obviously, given appellant’s concept of the purpose underlying his conduct, this necessitated sleeping in the park. 1…