Homeland Security used aircraft to surveil BLM protests in 15 cities
Protests against Black Lives Matter continue in the United States.
Sarah Tew / CNET
A Friday New York Times report revealed how the Department of Homeland Security was using drones, helicopters, and planes to monitor protests against Black Lives Matter across the country. The aircraft recorded approximately 270 hours of surveillance material from 15 cities and was broadcast live in a customs and border control room, according to the Times report confirmed by CBP. CBP is an agency for homeland security.
CBP deployed Predator drones in Minneapolis and Del Rio, Texas, where protests began after the death of unarmed black George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. The drones had no face recognition capabilities and were not armed. According to the Times report, they were requested by an immigration and customs official.
Protests against Black Lives Matter continue in the United States and around the world, as people demonstrate against the recent deaths of Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, and against systemic racism.
CBP also used planes, including helicopters and planes, in 13 other cities: New York; Chicago; Washington, D.C; Philadelphia; Detroit; El Paso, Texas; Miami; Aurora, Illinois; Buffalo, New York; Dayton, Ohio; El Centro, California; San Luis, Arizona; and Uvalde, Texas. CBP confirmed that 5.6 hours of drones had been recorded from the 270 hours of surveillance material.
The aircraft provided “situational awareness, maximized public safety while minimizing the threat to personnel and assets,” CBP said in a statement on May 29.
Earlier this month, 35 Congressional Democrats called for the final cessation of the CBP, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration and National Guard Bureau Monitoring peaceful protests. You said that Use of Predator drones to collect live video feeds from protests was an overreach of power.
Congressmen said monitoring of these protests violated the right to protest under the First Amendment and the Fourth Amendment, which is designed to protect Americans from inappropriate searches and confiscations.
The FBI said it would not monitor activities protected by First Amendment. Rather, it is about “identifying, investigating and disturbing people who encourage violence and participate in criminal activities”. Similarly, the National Guard Bureau said it had used an airplane to “situational awareness” overnight at the National Guard on June 2nd and 3rd in Washington, DC.
Correction, 4:51 p.m. PT: In this story, the number of cities where drones were used to monitor protests was initially misrepresented. They were used in two cities.
Black lives count. visit blacklivesmatter.carrd.co to learn how to donate, sign petitions, and protest safely.
Look at that:
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