In an unusual move, police pushed reporters away from the White House Tuesday afternoon during a gay rights protest in Washington, D.C.

During the small demonstration, six gay and lesbian military veterans handcuffed themselves to the gate on the north side of the White House, in protest of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy banning gays from serving openly in the military.

But as reporters tried to cover the event, police pushed them -- as well as tourists and others walking around -- halfway into Lafayette Park across the street from the White House.

The policeman shouted, "Back up! Park's closed!"

Fox News Radio was on the scene and reported that the "closure" lasted about 15-20 minutes before police changed their minds and allowed the media to return just before they began arresting the demonstrators.

The protesters at the White House were the same ones who organized heckling of the president a night earlier at a California fundraiser for Sen. Barbara Boxer.