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MQ-9 Reaper drone, Kandahar, 2009. Drones are remote-piloted aircraft that have been used in the killing of thousands of civilians in Afghanistan and Pakistan. |
By Debra Sweet
The events we’re sending this week are in New York state. But they could be happening where you are. Write and let’s make plans for protests, film showings, and discussions where you are!
Stop the Drone Attacks Action & Walk for Peace Ithaca to Syracuse NY 4/17-4/22
Beginning April 17, activists are walking from Ithaca NY to Syracuse, which is home to Hancock Airfield and the 174th New York State Air National Guard. Hancock, formerly an F-16 fighter jet base, is now the national maintenance center for the Reaper drone. The MQ-9 reaper drones are used in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and elsewhere, according to Voices for Creative Nonviolence.
Friday, April 22 · 3:00pm – 4:00pm vigil at the front gate of Hancock National Guard base 6001 East Malloy Road, Mattydale, NY Google Map
Nick Mottern writes in Drones Fly Through Congress to Enter US Skies that "Within weeks and possibly days, President Obama is likely to sign into law a bill that will bring unmanned aerial vehicles – drones – into US general airspace, crisscrossing the country in company with passenger planes and other human-carrying aircraft."
The Watertown Daily Times reports that NY Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer is pushing hard to open up nearby Ft. Drum to base and train more drones, which would then fly over the state of NY in "training" missions. Schumer says:
“These high-tech drones are the wave of the future, protecting our brave men and women serving abroad, as well as providing us with an effective way to aggressively pursue terrorists who wish to do us harm… More drones and employees are ready and waiting to head to Fort Drum to help fly the unarmed aerial vehicles, making it essential that we get these training missions airborne as soon as possible. [sic]”
World Can’t Wait urges you to join the protest this week – and no matter where you are, learn all you can about the growing use of unmanned drones for warfighting and surveillance, and help stop the drones.