Proposition 1 has been in front of the white house or in Lafayette Park since 1981. They call for nuclear disarmament-and began their 24-7 vigil in 1981 during the Reagan years.

In 1985, they had very large signs that doubled as housing but were destroyed by the park police. Since then, Concepcion and the other Proposition 1 people have used simple tents and smaller signs-under a barrage of police harassment.

Today, the first cop on the scene, on a motor scooter, refused to investigate the fire.This was despite a strong odor of lighter fluid that at times could be smelled as far away as the first park bench 20 feet away, and the discovery by someone of debris that apeared to be the remains of MATCHES WRAPPED IN PAPER. Concepticion, myself, and others could smell the lighter fluid.

The cops claim no videocams watch the park, even though one is clearly visible on the roof of one of the bordering buildings(from the east). Presumably the Washington Monument(Eye of Sauron) cams with 27X zoom have an excellent view, but the authorities will not use this kind of footage for this purpose, possibly to conceal its capabilities and camera angles. This claim (of no surveillance) first came up when Ms Concepcions bike was stolen about two months ago.

About 30 bystanders watched but did not intervene, with one reportedly saying "That's what get for protesting." Finally two or three of her friends got the fire out with water and signs(to beat out the flames).

The Cops tried to say it was a cigarette-caused fire-but Ms Concepcion does not smoke! They explained the smell as barbecue-but I did not see any signs of a grill in the area. Even if "true," I doubt a grill would have been in use at that time or with so much lighter fluid. Well, if a cigarette fuse was used in that match pack, it would be a cigarette that started the fire-one intentionally put in a pack of matches. That, however, equals ARSON, not smoking, as the cause of the fire.

We finally got the fire department to send an arson investigator, but he decided that since it was not a "structure" fire, its only destruction of property and thus only US Park Police jurisdiction. Well, if burning something smaller than a house isn't arson, why is Free doing 22 years?

There is only one major suspect in the fire: some of the Freepers who harassed us at Walter Reed Army hospital, then DROVE down to Lafayette Park to bother us. They did not follow us to 17th and G and have been harassing the Proposition 1 vigil for years. this does not prove them guilty, but they had motive, opportunity-and a distraction to get the cops out of the way(namely the exit of the demo).?

Lastly, many of us are worried that this incident is intended to force Concepcion out of the park by denying her shelter-so all her signs and gear can be removed the first time it rains. This must NOT be allowed to happen and solidarity is especially useful if bad weather strikes tomorrow. We are trying to get her a new tent ASAP.