His father designed missile parts, and his mother was an activist who helped draft dodgers of the Vietnam War escape to Canada.

[10] Despite warning from the city and the Chicago Police Department (CPD), Thayer decided to hold the demonstration anyway in a form of a press conference.

[11] Thayer was arrested on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Oak Street[12] after holding a press conference instead of a march.

Thayer later appealed the arrest in 2005[13] arguing that the city violated his first amendment rights, but was officially denied in September 2012.

"[15] The FBI claimed that Thayer and the other antiwar activists were providing material support to terrorist organizations like Hamas, the F.A.R.C.

For the past few years, Thayer has marched in the Chicago Gay Pride Parade with a message to pardon Manning of her crimes.

Thayer has organized protests for marriage equality and has called an end to the discrimination that LGBTQ people face.

In February 2001, Thayer was arrested along with one other activist for attempting to chain and lock the doors of the Cook County's clerk building in protest of not being able to receive a marriage license.

[21] In 2011, Thayer was arrested in Moscow alongside Lt. Dan Choi for taking part in a gay pride parade unsanctioned by the city.