Concepcion Picciotto

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Concepcion Picciotto bigraphy, stories - Activists

Concepcion Picciotto : biography

1945 –

Concepcion Picciotto (born 1945), also known as Conchita or Connie, has lived in Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C. on the 1600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, in a peace camp across from the White House, since August 1, 1981, in protest of nuclear arms. She has carried on the longest continuous act of political protest in the United States.

Life

Born Concepción Martín in Vigo, Spain, she immigrated to the United States at the age of 18. She worked in New York at the Spanish consulate. She fell in love with an Italian businessman and married him at 21. However, a bitter separation and custody battle cost her her home, her daughter and her job.

Picciotto was inspired by fellow activist Thomas, who originally began the White House Peace Vigil on June 3, 1981 and died on January 23, 2009. They began protesting on the sidewalk by the White House fence. National Park Service rules moved them across Pennsylvania Avenue. She was sentenced to 90 days for violating rules. They are moved, during inaugural parades.

She is currently assisted by members of where she resides. Concepcion was reported to be in discussions with Ellen Thomas to remain in the Peace House, a house in Washington D.C. that Ellen inherited from her late husband. Members from Occupy Washington DC reside in the Peace House with Concepcion. The house is now called Occupy Peace House and members are working towards ownership. It is a nonprofit home for local activists and those from around the world. It is referred to as The People’s Embassy, a vision William Thomas had when he purchased the house.

Appearances

Picciotto was featured in Michael Moore’s 2004 film Fahrenheit 9/11.

The Oracles of Pennsylvania Avenue (2012) by Tim Wilkerson, a documentary commissioned by the Al Jazeera Documentary Channel, recounts the life of Concepcion, William and Ellen Thomas, and Norman Mayer.