Forty American citizens created a blockade on Wednesday of Hancock Air National Guard Base outside Syracuse, NY, to protest against drone attacks in Afghanistan and other countries.
MQ-9 Reaper drones are operated by remote control from the base, and are used to carry out attacks in Afghanistan and other countries.
The blockade began shortly after 8am when the activists gathered outside three gates of the military airfield, which are located on East Malloy, Thompson, and Townline Roads in the Town of DeWitt, near Syracuse. They set up traffic cones, unfurled banners, and held up signs and pictures. They succeeded in blocking the gates for two and a half hours before they were arrested and taken to the Town Court of DeWitt.
The activists presented a document to personnel at the base, which they called a “People’s Indictment for War Crimes”. They also read the indictment outside the gates. The indictment reads, in part: “These drones are being used…for killings far removed from combat zones….to assassinate individuals and groups…
‘Extrajudicial killings such as those the US carries out by drones, are intentional, premeditated, and deliberate use of lethal force to commit murder in violation of US and International law.” The use of armed drones has become the subject of controversy recently, with a recent study by Stanford and New York Universities showing that civilian casualties are much higher than has been claimed by the Obama administration. The study also shows that the continual presence of drones over some arts of Pakistan is creating psychological trauma in the civilian population. A recent poll in Pakistan shows the US drones are sparking outrage, with 75% now viewing the United States as more of an enemy than an ally.
Anti-drone protest shuts down Hancock Air Base
