Yesterday it was reported (and confirmed) that U.S. CBP flew at least one Predator drone over Minneapolis. Two things frequently mentioned: this drone was "unarmed," but has been "used to hunt and kill terrorists overseas." I think this framing is problematic for several reasons.
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1) To say it was "unarmed" does not remove concern about why a military tool was being used against civilians. Minneapolis is on the edge of the 100-mile border zone, where the gov has repeatedly argued that constitutional protections "do not fully apply." aclu.org/other/constitution-…
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2) I and many others talk / write frequently about how surveillance is normalized as non-coercive or neutral, when experience & research has shown otherwise. That could be a whole thread in itself, but in short, saying it was "merely" used for surveillance is an example of this.
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3) Pointing out that these drones are used against "terrorists overseas" should rightfully scare people. However it indirectly promotes the lie that they are only used against terrorists. In reality, the vast majority of drone kills are civilians like you. theintercept.com/drone-paper…
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“A lot of the kids in this area wake up from sleeping because of nightmares from them and some now have mental problems. They turned our area into hell and continuous horror, day & night, we even dream of them in our sleep.”
Months later, killed by drone.
theguardian.com/world/2015/f…
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Many countries around the world have seen increasing militarization of the police, not just in equipment but in their attitudes toward human life. There is a similar trajectory with surveillance. What you have minimized abroad is coming back to bite you at home.
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If you think your citizenship will protect you from your own state, I recommend reading @mtaibbi's story about a U.S. citizen who fought to get his name off Obama's drone target list. The word "nonjusticiable" is key. rollingstone.com/politics/po…
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"The US Government filed its brief in response to Mr Kareem’s appeal last evening, asserting that the need to preserve 'state secrets' trumps a US citizen’s constitutional right to life"
PRESS RELEASE: US Government Claims American Journalist has No Right to Challenge Its Decision to Assassinate Him 👇🏾buff.ly/2Zmrm8e
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