Rep. John Conyers: Support the "Come Clean on Drones Killing" Bill!

John Conyers, representing Michigan's 13th congressional district, has been one of the leading voices in Congress on peace and justice issues.

On the problems of drone killing and drone surveillance, he has said,

I am not convinced . . . by the Administration’s legal rationale for the targeted killing of a United States citizen overseas. The [Administration's] white paper describes a balancing test for Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights tilted so far in favor of government interests that a potential target appears to have little chance at meaningful due process when he is nominated to the so-called ‘kill list.’

“I also remain unconvinced about the targeted killing of terrorist suspects who are non-citizens. Although the Administration appears to rest its claim of authority on the Authorization for Use of Military Force passed by Congress in 2001, it is not clear to me that Congress intended to sanction lethal force against a loosely-defined enemy in an indefinite conflict with no borders and no discernible end date.

“And I remain deeply troubled by the widely reported use of so-called ‘signature strikes,’ where suspects display suspicious activity but their identities are unknown prior to the government’s use of lethal force against them. To date, the Administration has not even acknowledged that this program exists—let alone provided this Committee with the information it requires to examine the legality of the program.

(See "Conyers Statement at Oversight Hearing on Drones", February 27, 2013)

A bill is pending in Congress -- the The Targeted Lethal Force Transparency Act (HR 4372) -- also known as the "Come Clean on Drone Killing" Act. At this writing, quite a few of Rep. Conyers' fellow progressive caucus members have become co-sponsors for the bill. Now we need Rep. Conyers' strong leadership.

Rep. Conyers' constituents need to contact him and urge him to co-sponsor the bill today.

Additional resources to help:

Identify your member of Congress

Example letter to a member of Congress in support of HR 4372: the Targeted Lethal Force Transparency Act (the "come clean on drone killings" act)


Related posts

First Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) called the U.S. on the carpet for dodging the call from the international community to come clean about its drone killings. Then Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) submitted a bill calling for drone transparency. So ... are we finally going to get the truth?

(See REAL Progressives Demand that the U.S. Come Clean on Drone Killings)

"We started on June 3 at Boeing corporate headquarters in Chicago, where the manufacture of drones and conventional war planes are managed and designed. We finished on June 14, with about 100 people holding an action at the Michigan Air National Guard Facility at the Battle Creek Airport, site of a new drone command center. Along the way, we talked to lots of people, made presentations to local groups and reached out to local media . . . ."

(See Report Back from "On the Road to Ground the Drones" Walk by Bob Palmer)

A 2013 U.N. report makes it clear that the U.S. has to report fully on all its drone attacks.

(See 2014: The Year of Transparency (for U.S. Drone Use)?)

On the Road to Ground the Drones: Peace Walkers Reach Battle Creek Air National Guard Base this Sunday, 6/15

From Jessica, with Voices for Creative Nonviolence

Hi Friends, 

Over the last 8 days, I have walked 121 miles with a group of peace activists from around the country. On Saturday, we are closing in on the Battle Creek Air National Guard base where the operation of drones is imminent. Please join me and other peace advocates. 

"On Saturday afternoon, the 160-mile walk will culminate in a vigil at the gates of the Air National Guard base in Battle Creek.  We will honor the victims of drones and call for our friends and neighbors at the base to stop their participation in drone war.  There will be no parking at the base, so if you’d like to take part in this nonviolent witness, please meet up with us at the Ale House on the Springfield Golf Course (1600 Avenue A, right off Dickman Rd.) at 12:30.  The folks there have generously offered us their parking lot, bathrooms and indoor space.

Plan to arrive at the Ale House on time or a little early.  We will take a nonviolence pledge together and then proceed on foot for the last 1.1 miles to the base. The walk will go along a very busy road to the base. There is a wide shoulder, but we will also be happy to shuttle individuals who are unable, or do not feel safe (with children) to walk the busy road. If you are interested in helping with shuttling, please bring a larger vehicle to have on hand. There is a large empty lot across the street from the gates that we can drop off and pick up, so that we won’t be getting out of vehicles in traffic.

The vigil will last for an hour at the gates of the base from 12:30-1:30, at which point we will march back to the Ale House. 

This vigil is a solemn remembrance of the victims of drone warfare; we will be respectfully remembering the individuals who have lost their lives at the hands of the drones.": from my friends at Peace House.

If you are looking for a lift, please respond and I will try to coordinate something.

In the spirit of liberation,
Jessica

The 2014 Spring Days of Drone Action may have ended, but the drones are still killing. Stand up this Sunday with Jessica and VCNV to say NO to killer drones in Michigan!

June 3-14 - Join Voices for Creative Nonviolence - On the Road to Ground the Drones!

Voices for Creative Nonviolence is making preparations to set off on a 160-mile protest walk from Chicago to Michigan Air National Guard Base in Battle Creek between June 3 and 14, 2014. Read the full description here, and contact VCNV to get involved:

If you're willing and able to walk . . . email info@vcnv.org - with the word "walker"

To be an overnight host . . . email info@vcnv.org - with the word "host"

To help organize events . . . email info@vcnv.org - with the word "events"

To provide food . . . email info@vcnv.org - with the word "food"

To design and make signs . . . email info@vcnv.org - with the word "signs"

To help with outreach . . . email info@vcnv.org - with the word "outreach"

More updates to follow!

Trip reports

"We started on June 3 at Boeing corporate headquarters in Chicago, where the manufacture of drones and conventional war planes are managed and designed. We finished on June 14, with about 100 people holding an action at the Michigan Air National Guard Facility at the Battle Creek Airport, site of a new drone command center. Along the way, we talked to lots of people, made presentations to local groups and reached out to local media . . . ." (See Report Back from "On the Road to Ground the Drones" Walk by Bob Palmer)

"Over the last 8 days, I have walked 121 miles with a group of peace activists from around the country. On Saturday, we are closing in on the Battle Creek Air National Guard base where the operation of drones is imminent. Please join me and other peace advocates . . . . " (See On the Road to Ground the Drones: Peace Walkers Reach Battle Creek Air National Guard Base this Sunday, 6/15 by Jessica )

Other related posts

Protestors came out in force from Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and neighboring states to protest the newly approved mission of Battle Creek Air Force Base: directing targeted killings using MQ-9 Reaper drones. As reported on WWMT local news, "The Battle Creek Air National Guard Base hasn't even started its new mission and already protestors are lining up to oppose it."

(See April Days of Action Against Drones in BATTLE CREEK)





Voices for Creative Nonviolence organized a walk of about 190 miles from the Rock Island Arsenal (where drone and bomb parts are made and stored) to the Iowa Air National Guard Facility at Des Moines Airport, planned site of a new drone command center, between June 8 and June 24, 2013.

(See Summer Days: Covering Ground to Ground the Drones in Iowa with VCNV )

Joining events on the same day in places as diverse as Iowa and California, there will be a demonstration in Philadelphiaon Friday, March 14 from 4p.m.- 5p.m. We will demand that, in his capacity as the head of the PA Air National Guard, Governor Corbett pull the plug on the Drone War Command Center planned for Horsham Air National Guard base outside the city.

(See Stop the Drone War Command Center at Horsham Air Guard Station, in Horsham, Montgomery County, PA )

April Days of Action Against Drones in BATTLE CREEK

Protestors came out in force from Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, and neighboring states to protest the newly approved mission of Battle Creek Air Force Base: directing targeted killings using MQ-9 Reaper drones. As reported on WWMT local news, "The Battle Creek Air National Guard Base hasn't even started its new mission and already protestors are lining up to oppose it."

"I think since it is here that it is peoples' responsibility in
 Michigan to object to it," said Benjamin Betula.

"ILLEGAL KILLING CONTROLLED
 FROM HERE!"

Protestors lined the gate of the Air National Guard Base,
and the arrival of 20 MI state police cars suggested that
 authorities viewed this demonstration as a serious threat.

"No Drones!" was the message broadcast to
 those passing and entering the base.

"STOP THE DRONES- STOP THE WARS."

"That's one of the most important things, educating people
about what drones are and what they do, and educating
people about their rights, and how wrong this drone program is!"
 exclaimed Autumn Smith, as passing cars honked horns in support
 of the demonstrators.

Those in Battle Creek joined voices around the country protesting drone warfare this month, in the April Days of Action Against Drones. 

See the full video of the newscast here.

How will you get involved in the fight to end drone killings?! Click here to get started!

April Days of Action Against Drones comes to Michigan

The month of April has seen protests nationwide against the unconstitutional killer drone program, which is sapping budgets domestically and, via rampant civilian casualties, creating the next generation of "terrorists" abroad and thus creating the conditions for perpetual war.

Anti-drone demonstration at the White House on Saturday, April 13th

Now, the April Days of Action Against Drones are coming to Michigan. Wednesday April 24th will see a demonstration at the 110th Airlift Wing, Battle Creek, MI. It has recently been announced that Battle Creek Guard will become a drone base. Protesters from Indiana and Michigan will participate, some risking arrest. 

“Drones are not the precise surgical weapon that the military and government would have you believe. Their deployment in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and other places have resulted in the deaths of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of innocent women, men, and children, according to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. In Pakistan , U.S. drones strike houses with hellfire missiles killing women and children.  This becomes a recruiting tool for al-Qaeda, making us less safe,” said JoAnne Lingle, 76, of Indianapolis , who has been a peace activist most of her adult life, and will participate in the demonstration on Wednesday.

“Perhaps the people of our country will awaken to the whole issue of drones only after they have begun spying on them in their own back yards,” said Dave Lambert, 78, from Fort Wayne , IN , one of the organizers of the event. "In places like Pakistan , with whom we are not at war, these drone strikes are responsible for only 2% of top al Qaeda leadership."

Benjamin Rast, killed by a drone
strike in Afghanistan in 2011

Robert Rast, from South Bend , whose son Benjamin was killed by a drone in Afghanistan in 2011, and who could not attend the event due to poor health, writes:  “Please thank all involved on behalf of my son, Benjamin. The Government still to this date refuses to accept accountability for Corpsman Rast's death as a result of their incompetence and negligence. My son's spirit will be there with all of you because he wants Justice and Accountability  for what they did to him and to our Family. May God Bless and keep up the good fight.”

For more info, e-mail Dave Lambert at dl2001@comcast.net or go to the Michigan Peace Network

April Days of Action Against Drones Continue Nationwide! Get involved in another state!

Tell Congress: STOP THE DRONES!

Every member of Congress from Michigan can be reached on Twitter. Below are their Twitter addresses. If they really represent us, now is the time for them to become responsive to our message: STOP THE DRONES!

MICHIGAN CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

1st District - Dan Benishek: @congressmandan
2nd District - Bill Huizenga: @rephuizenga
3rdDistrict - Justin Amash: @repjustinamash
4th District - Dave Camp: @repdavecamp
5th District - Dale E. Kildee: @DaleKildee
6th District - Fred Upton: @RepFredUpton
7th District - Tim Walberg: @RepWalberg
8th District - Mike Rogers: @RepMikeRogers (CUSC caucus member*)
9th District - Gary C. Peters: @RepGaryPeters
10th District - Candice Miller: @candicemiller (CUSC caucus member*)
11th District - Thaddeus G. McCotter: @ThadMcCotter
12th District - Sander M. Levin: @repsandylevin
13th District - Hansen Clarke: @RepHansenClarke
14th District - John Conyers: @repjohnconyers
15th District - John D. Dingell: @john_dingell

*CUSC caucus members - Learn more about the Congressional drones advocates in Ohio and other states -- the members of the Congressional Unmanned Systems Caucus.

Are Drones Flying at Grayling?

We've heard several reports of drones in Western Michigan in recent weeks. It is believed that the drones are flying out of Grayling Army Airfield. [SEE UPDATE BELOW.]

Do you have information on drone sightings in Michigan? Please contact us at nodronesmichigan [at] gmail.com ... and learn how you can join the Michigan effort to STOP the drones!

UPDATE: July 22, 2012
According to the Department of Defense Report to Congress on Future Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training, Operations, and Sustainability (April 2012), Michigan has two locations that have been designated as potential basing locations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) [i.e. drones] (p. 8 ff.). It is disclosed that the RQ-7B Shadow is operated from Grayling, under the status "Locations Requiring COAs [Certificate of Waiver or Authorization]". ("Locations where the Army currently conducts operations outside of Restricted Areas that require a COA from the FAA. In the majority of these locations, the purpose of the COA is to transition from the launch site to adjacent Restricted Areas. Additionally, the Raven can be operated using DoD-FAA agreed-to Class G airspace notification procedures for flights flown over Government-owned or -leased land." (p. 20)) Grayling has also been designated as a potential basing location for the RQ-11B.

The report also discloses that Lake Margretha is the other Michigan location included in the Department of Defense's list of 110 potential UAS basing locations. Lake Margretha is designated for the RQ-11B.