Doug Hughes (activist)

Doug Hughes (1961 – September 12, 2015) was an American postal worker and activist known for his act of civil disobedience in 2015 when he flew a gyrocopter from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to the West Lawn of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. He was protesting campaign finance laws and advocating for campaign finance reform.

Hughes, a mail carrier from Ruskin, Florida, had planned the flight for months, notifying media outlets in advance to draw attention to his cause. His gyrocopter was equipped with a US Postal Service logo. He successfully landed on the Capitol lawn but was immediately apprehended by Capitol Police.

He was subsequently charged with several offenses, including operating an unregistered aircraft and violating national defense airspace. He pleaded guilty to a felony count of operating an aircraft without a valid airman's certificate. He was sentenced to probation and home confinement.

Hughes stated that his actions were intended to spark a national conversation about the influence of money in politics. His protest garnered significant media coverage and raised awareness of campaign finance reform issues. He died in September 2015 following a battle with cancer, months after his sentencing. His case continues to be cited in discussions about freedom of speech and the lengths to which individuals will go to advocate for political change.