Anti-war activists bring awareness of government drones to Syracuse

Did you know that predator drones (weaponized, unmanned aircrafts) kill suspected militants across the Middle East and Northern Africa from Hancock Air Base, only three miles from Syracuse University’s campus?

After months of intensified criticism of this policy, activists across Central New York will gather this weekend in Syracuse for a series of panels and a protest, beginning with a panel Thursday evening, April 25, from 5-6:30 p.m. in Huntington Beard Crouse, Room 209.

The extrajudicial killing of suspects, including those who merely appear to associate with alleged militants, is a stark violation of international law, increasing anti-American sentiment and distrust. Never mind the fact that casualties who are “military-aged” males are posthumously classified as militants, but it sets a dangerous precedent for other countries now developing their own drone programs, who perhaps now feel empowered to declare a global war on a concept and begin summarily killing suspects in ever-shifting kill zones. Most importantly, keeping the drone program and its “kill list” entirely at the Obama administration’s discretion enables it to rain down bombs on countries against which we have not declared war. This, in effect, denies Congress its war powers, making a mockery of our system of checks and balances. Even if we have faith in the current executive branch, will we grant this tremendous power to whatever leader the future has in store?

But there is some good news: A massive coalition of activists are working hard to protect life and mend the fabric of international cooperation. The National Black Church Initiative, a faith-based coalition of 34,000 churches comprising 15.7 million African Americans, recently stated that President Barack Obama’s drone policy “constitutes evil in the Christian tradition.” According to a Gallup poll taken in March, most Americans oppose the use of drone strikes to kill suspected terrorists who are Americans, here or abroad, yet we still overwhelmingly back strikes against suspected terrorists abroad who are not American. I believe that we Americans have it in us to extend our circle of sympathy, and we must, for the global war on terror makes us global citizens.

This weekend, Syracuse will host hundreds of anti-war activists from all across New York and the United States for a weekend of workshops, music, networking and action, ending with a convergence at the Hancock Air National Guard Base, where predator drones are operated. Join us April 26-28 in and around the SouthWest Community Center and at Hancock Air Base. See UpstateDroneAction.org for the complete schedule.

Simone Richmond
Creative Writing program
Class of 2015