We have the opportunity to witness against the sinister aspects of modern warfare in Syracuse on Sunday, Nov. 15 – namely the drones. Using drones is like making war into a video game and allows the people who bomb and kill to disconnect from the terror, destruction and death that they cause.
We'll also have the opportunity to ask why there are unlimited funds for war, but a health-care-for-all bill is too expensive.
Here are the details of the protest:
10:30 a.m. – For those who like to walk, march from the ArtRage Gallery (a political art gallery at 505 Hawley Ave., Syracuse) to the Hancock Air National Guard Base Entrance (about 5.5 miles). Contact: Paul at 315-475-2811 or Peg at 585-313-6674 to sign up.
Noon-12:45 – For those who would like to have a place to gather before going to the base, a gathering at the ArtRage Gallery. We'll provide a simple lunch (soup and bread). If you're thinking of coming for lunch, please contact Carol at: carol@peacecouncil.net, or (315) 472-5478 with an approximate number of people so we can plan for food.
12:45-1 ish – Very short program at the ArtRage. Kathy Kelly will say a few words, as well as John Brule, a local activist who has been researching the drones in Syracuse.
1 ish – Carpool to the Hancock Air National Guard Base – or meet us there (6001 E. Molloy Rd., Mattydale. Park on Moore or Falso streets, which are very close to the base.
1:30-2:15 – Moving picket in front of entrance to Hancock Air National Guard Base. Park on Falso or Moore. The base is in a light industrial area right next to Hancock Airport. There are no sidewalks, so we'll be picketing on the shoulders of the street (the shoulders are wide).
Bring signs, creative props (but remember, we'll be moving). You (or a group of folks) are encouraged to write a letter of protest, which we will deliver to the guard house at the close of the picket.
2:15 on – Return to ArtRage for planning meeting and Cynthia Banas' birthday celebration; we'll celebrate local activist Cynthia Banas' birthday (she's turning 80) with cake and ice cream. It was Cynthia's sweatshirt that I found in the trash after the 1/11/08 Supreme Court action that helped to keep me warm. She is a definite for the peace museum's hall of fame when I finally get said museum.
After the celebration we'll hold a regional meeting focused on future protest actions of the drones.
Schedule updates will be posted on www.peacecouncil.net and at (315) 472-5478
For more information contact: Carol Baum, carol@peacecouncil.net or at (315) 472-5478
If you're from the Capital Region and you'd like to participate and you need a lift, contact me through this blog and we'll make arrangements for you.
Here is some background information:
"The Drone Programs are Coming to Syracuse"
By John Brule
Soon now, Syracuse, New York, will become an active participant in the everlasting war in Afghanistan. The government has decided to operate drones out of the 174th Air National Guard Base here and some of the local politicians are thrilled that people here in Syracuse will be able to fire missiles and drop bombs in a land thousands of miles away. It’s a matter of jobs. The planes flown by the 174th are F-16s and they are to be decommissioned. By introducing the drone programs to Syracuse there will be new jobs to replace the current ones.
As we understand it, the current plan includes the provision to provide housing and maintenance for some drones here at Hancock field. Then the drones will be flown through civilian airspace to a military airbase in Watertown on a daily basis. The drones flown to Watertown will be controlled from Syracuse and will supply training for operators and pilots.
However, that is only part of the plan. The overall plan includes operating drones in the war zone and controlling them from the base here in Syracuse. These drones will be based close to the war zone and personnel near those bases will take the drones through the take-off and landing phases of flight. Once they are airborne, the Syracuse personnel will control them and implement the decisions about where to fly and when to fire weapons and what to shoot at.
Two people here in Syracuse will be involved with each drone in the war zone. One person will handle the mechanics of flight and the other will process the information being gathered by on-board cameras and other sensors. Of course, one can also expect that various other personnel, both CIA and military, will be involved in the decision-making process of when, where and who to fire at.
So we join the 21st century of automated warfare. Now the pliers of the weapons of war will be able to have dinner with their families after their grizzly daytime task.
For more background information about the drones, here are some resources:
Ed Kinane's article "Drones and Dishonor in Central NY" in the recent Peace Newsletter. (Ed was one of the defendants in the Supreme Court action in 2008 and spoke beautifully at the trial.)
Background info from the Syracuse Peace Council (Click HERE)
"The Predator War" by Jane Mayer (The New Yorker, Oct. 26, 2009)
Nevada Desert Experience website section on drones. (Click HERE)
"The Reaper Comes to Syracuse's Hancock Field" – Syracuse Post Standard
