Anti-Drone protest goes to Court:

ANTI-DRONE PROTEST LEADS
TO FEDERAL COURT CASE
IN CALIFORNIA:

On October 30 last year some 100 people gathered at the US Air Force Base at Beale, California, to protest against the use of Drone aircraft by the US military for bombing by remote control of civilian housing and targetting individuals for assassination in several countries; Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Yemen and Somalia contrary to international law and the UN conventions on Human Rights.

Rev Sharon Delgado, a United Methodist Minister and a leading peace activist against Drone state terrorism, reports on the demonstration which led to arrests and a Federal Court appearance on Januray 8 last in the California State Capital, Sacramento;

"On October 30 I joined about 100 people for a demonstration at Beale Air Force Base calling for an end to drone warfare.  Beale is home to the Global Hawk Drone, a surveillance drone that is used to determine drone targets.  After stopping traffic onto the base for four hours, nine of us were arrested for trespassing onto federal property.

I took this action because I am convinced that the use of drones for targeted assassinations is immoral and illegal and that their use threatens us all.  Now is the time to stop the new drone arms race in its tracks.  This act of nonviolent direct action at Beale was my way of witnessing to my hope that “another world is possible,” a world based not on domination and violence, but on peace, justice, and environmental healing. My “no” of resistance is based on a “yes” of faith.

The U.S. use of drones for extra-judicial killings is immoral and illegal under international law.  It assumes that the whole world is a battleground and that the United States has the right to inflict capital punishment without trial on whomever it has put on its “kill list.”

Targeted assassinations by drones is not a clean as many people seem to think.  Many innocent people have been killed, including children.  In Pakistan, whole communities are paralyzed with fear because of ongoing drone attacks.  “Secondary kills,” that is, drone strikes on rescue workers, if eyewitness reports are true, would constitute war crimes.

There are other complications to drone warfare.  Drones are sold on the open market.  Weapon manufacturers, whose sole purpose is profit, have no loyalty to any country but only to their bottom line.  Over fifty countries now have drones.  Most are currently used for surveillance, and in fact, many law enforcement departments in U.S. cities are purchasing drones for that purpose.  But drones can be equipped with weapons, and many countries already have weaponized drones.  With the United States setting the standard and leading the way, we are in danger of a drone arms race without an international legal framework for their use.

The public must become aware of the dangers of this deadly program.  We must rise up in resistance and demand that the United States propose, sign, and ratify an international treaty on drones.  Clearly, this is a tall order, especially given that the United States has not even signed the  Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.  Such an outcome can only take place if there is widespread public awakening to the multiple dangers facing us as a species, and spiritual renewal motivating us to work together for global transformation.  This will entail a rising up of people willing to work for a peoples’ democracy rather than acquiescing to the current system of global corporate rule. Those of us who were arrested at Beale will stand trial, or rather, put drones on trial.  I’m grateful to have this opportunity to witness to my conviction that another world truly is possible".

The courtroom was filled with supporters on January 8 as  the nine people faced arraignment in U.S. District in Sacramento for trespassing onto federal property at Beale Air Force Base last October while protesting U.S. drone warfare; Rev Delgado reported;

"Charges were dropped against four of the defendants: Fr. Louie Vitale, MacGregor Eddy, Barry Binks, and Toby Blome. We don’t know why their charges were dropped, but it could have to do with the fact that they were arrested separately from the other group, at a different gate. The five of us who were arrested at the main gate are David and Jan Hartsough, Shirley Osgood, Janie Kesselman, and me.

The remaining five of us pled “not guilty.” Yes, of course we engaged in civil disobedience. There are videos showing that we blocked traffic, stepped across the line onto federal property, held signs, and refused to leave. We tried to deliver a list of demands to the base commander.

I chose to plead “not guilty” by reason of necessity; that is, I acted in order to prevent a greater harm from taking place. My co-defendants and I will be discussing defense strategy with our team of lawyers, who are working pro bono in order to help bring the issue of drone warfare into the public eye.

Our trial is scheduled for April 15, Tax Day. That is the perfect day for this trial. Beale is the home of Global Hawk Drones, which are used for surveillance and for targeting of weaponized drones. According to the New York Times, the Air Force’s Global Hawk program costs $12 billion; the estimated cost for one of these drones is $218 million. The Navy is on board with its own version of the program, for an estimated $11 billion. That’s where our money goes.

Thanks to everyone who is supporting our efforts to raise awareness about this issue. Please pass on information and action opportunities as they become available so we can turn the tide against global domination through violence and sow the seeds of world peace"

More details available here:

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http://www.occupybealeafb.org/#

This worthy action by US Peace Activists shows that many decent Americans are opposed to the warmongering activities of their government and the Pentagon and the hi-jacking of US democracy by the military-industrial complex, which makes massive profits from wars and killing throughout the world while ignoring the 77% of the US population which has declared against the wars being pursued by their Government on all continents. We join with them in solidarity as we protest regularly here against the Irish Government's shameful policy of allowing the US Military unrestricted use of Shannon Airport for pursuit of its illegal wars. 

We also condemn unreservedly the recent statement at the Dáil Committee on Transport and Communications by Rose Hynes, newly appointed Chair of the Shannon Airport Authority in answer to a question on the US Military presence there that; "Military
traffic has been in the DNA of Shannon for many years. It’s something that’s important, it’s lucrative and we are certainly going to go after it as much as possible."  

This disgraceful comment, worthy of the worst ratbag mercenaries engaged in combat for profit in many countries, shames the Irish people with their historic traditions of anti-imperialism and anti-colonialism and is a scandalous debasement of the role of  a public official paid by the Irish taxpayer. Hynes should be forced to resign forthwith since she is advocating making profits on the illegal activities of the US Military and doing it in the name of the Irish people whose democratic Constitution, Bunreacht na hÉireann, binds Ireland to respect for international law. It is remarkable, as a lawyer herself, that Hynes fails to understand this. However, an international passenger boycott of Shannon Airport which could feasibly be organised by the Irish Peace Movement and its allies through social media might make Ms Hynes think twice about her disgraceful mercenary outlook!

Aide Memoire  to Ms Hynes:

Bunreacht na hÉireann,
Article 29:

1.    Ireland affirms its devotion to the ideal of peace and friendly co-operation amongst nations founded on international justice and morality.

2.    Ireland affirms its adherence to the principle of the pacific settlement of international disputes by international arbitration or judicial determination.

3.    Ireland accepts the generally recognised principles of international law as its rule of conduct in its relations with other States.

 

FearFeasaMacLéinn

 Áth Cliath/Dublin

Eanáir/January 29 2013