Tuesday, April 2, 2013

April Days of Action Against Drones in MARYLAND

Advanced Physics Laboratory, home of drones research at JHU.
Maryland has been an important site of protest activity against drones, particularly protests against drones research at Johns Hopkins University.

Numerous Maryland events are planned as part of the nationwide April Days of Action Against Drones.

UPCOMING MARYLAND EVENTS

TOWSON - Friday, April 5, through Sunday, April 7, 2013 - The Politics of Drone Warfare and the University - Topics in this important 3-day conference will include:
  • "Distancing Acts: Imperial War from Counterinsurgency to Drones"
  • "The Politics of Drone Warfare and the University"
  • "Teaching the War on Terror"
Speakers will include:
  • Rashid Khalidi - Columbia University
  • Nick Turse - TomDispatch.com
  • Phyllis Bennis - Institute for Policy Studies
  • Ray McGovern - Ex-CIA White House briefer
  • Irene Gendizer - Boston University
  • Judith Le Blanc - Peace Action
  • David Swanson - War is a Crime.org
  • Jerry Lembcke - College of the Holy Cross
  • Vinay Lal - UCLA
  • Paul Joseph - Tufts University
  • Carolyn Eisenberg - Hofstra University
  • John Prados - National Security Archive
Friday Keynote Session: Friday evening, April 5, St. John's Methodist Church, 2640 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD. Keynote speakers: Col. Ann Wright, former Army officer and State Department diplomat; Alfred McCoy, University of Wisconsin.

All Saturday, April 6 and Sunday April 7 sessions will be held at the College of Liberal Arts Building, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252

For additional details see: Historians Against the War

BALTIMORE - Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 14, 2013 - Exhibit: Drone Warfare Exhibit and Luminous Light Intervention . . . Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - Exhibit: Workshop on the Legal, Political, and Ethical Implications of Militarized Drones . . . Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - Exhibit: "DRONECOMING" - Mobile drone warfare exhibition at Johns Hopkins University homecoming events.

(Add additional Illinois events to the master list of national April Days of Action actions.)



Read about ALL the ways YOU can be involved 


Friday, March 1, 2013

Anti-Killer Drone Activists Seek Meeting with Johns Hopkins University President

National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, 325 East 25th Street , Baltimore , MD 21218 PHONE: [410] 366-1637

PRESS RELEASE-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 7, 2012

CONTACT: Max Obuszewski 410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net


CONTENTS

Anti-Killer Drone Activists Seek Meeting with JHU President
Letter to President Daniels and Dr. Semmel
Johns Hopkins University Refuses to Arrest Anti-Killer Drone Activists

Read related post ... JHU News-Letter: "The APL drones on and on"


ANTI-KILLER DRONE ACTIVISTS SEEK MEETING WITH JHU PRESIDENT

WHO: The Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore is a part of the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR], which organizes direct action against U.S. wars. For example, NCNR members went to the National Security Agency on October 9, 2011 to seek a meeting with the director Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander to discuss the NSA’s involvement in U.S. war plans.
Instead of getting a meeting, fourteen citizen activists were arrested and are scheduled for trial in U.S. District Court on May 29 in Baltimore ,


WHAT: NCNR decided to focus attention on the government’s use of killer drones. Since Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has a contract to do drone research, NCNR, on May 1, sent a letter to Ronald J. Daniels, JHU president, and Dr. Ralph Semmel, director of the APL, seeking a meeting. There was no response to the letter, so a group of NCNR members are going to the Homewood Campus to seek a meeting with the president.

WHEN: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 1 PM

WHERE: Johns Hopkins University , Homewood Campus, 3400 North Charles Street , Baltimore , MD 21218

WHY: Jurists, political leaders and even the former director of the National Security Agency, General Michael Hayden, have questioned the use of drones to kill. See the op-ed in the Los Angeles Times by Doyle McManus on February 5, 2012, “Who reviews the U.S. 'kill list’?” This is what McManus wrote: “When it comes to national security, Michael V. Hayden is no shrinking violet. As CIA director, he ran the Bush administration's program of warrantless wiretaps against suspected terrorists.” Then the op-ed brings up the case of Anwar Awlaki, a U.S. citizen killed by a drone in Yemen , and Hayden is quoted: “’We needed a court order to eavesdrop on him, but we didn't need a court order to kill him. Isn't that something?’” Go to McManus: Who reviews the U.S. 'kill list'? in the Los Angeles Times.

It is both baffling and shocking that our government has assassinated U.S. citizens without even a pretense of due process. These hunter-killer Reaper drones and other forms of unmanned aerial vehicles cause horrific destruction. But who decides the use of drones? Who decides who to target? Laws of war make it illegal to target civilians. Doesn’t the U.S. Constitution guarantees due process to U.S. citizens and probably non-citizens?

The Nuremberg Principles obligate citizens to challenge governments involved in illegal activities. These Principles forbid wars of aggression, attacks on civilians and extrajudicial assassinations, all associated with drone warfare. Citizens have a duty to act where they can to prevent violations, even if the violations are committed by their government or a university engaged in research which helps develop the weapons used illegally.



May 1, 2012

Ronald J. Daniels, President

president@jhu.edu

242 Garland Hall
The Johns Hopkins University
3400 N. Charles St.
Baltimore , MD 21218

APL Director Dr. Ralph Semmel

ralph.semmel@jhuapl.edu

The Johns Hopkins University
Applied Physics Laboratory
11100 Johns Hopkins Road
Laurel , MD 20723-6099

Dear President Daniels and Dr. Semmel:

The National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance is composed of citizen activists who want to see that government officials are held accountable for illegal activities. As members of a peace and justice group with grave concern for the U.S. government’s use of drones in acts of war against the people of Afghanistan , Iraq , Pakistan and Yemen , we would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you about the drone research being done by Johns Hopkins University . And prior to the meeting, we would appreciate receiving copies of contracts, and the dollar amounts, regarding unmanned aerial vehicles.

As citizen activists, we have petitioned government officials and legislators with our grievances. We now believe it is time to discuss with you the taxpayer-funded university’s research on a weapon which has been used to execute U.S. citizens without due process, and to kill at least 175 children in Pakistan , untold numbers of civilians, members of the Pakistan military and even rescuers.

You may be aware that jurists, political leaders and even the former director of the National Security Agency, General Michael Hayden, have questioned the use of drones to kill. See the op-ed in the Los Angeles Times by Doyle McManus on February 5, 2012, “Who reviews the U.S. 'kill list’?” This is what McManus wrote: “When it comes to national security, Michael V. Hayden is no shrinking violet. As CIA director, he ran the Bush administration's program of warrantless wiretaps against suspected terrorists.” Then the op-ed brings up the case of Anwar Awlaki, a U.S. citizen killed by a drone in Yemen , and Hayden is quoted: “’We needed a court order to eavesdrop on him, but we didn't need a court order to kill him. Isn't that something?’” Go to McManus: Who reviews the U.S. 'kill list'? in the Los Angeles Times.

It is both baffling and shocking that our government has assassinated U.S. citizens without even a pretense of due process. It is very hard to imagine what it must be like in areas of the world plagued by hunter-killer Reaper drones. It is not hard to imagine that post traumatic stress disorder must be rife amidst the civilians who have survived drone strikes.

As you know, these Reapers and other forms of unmanned aerial vehicles cause horrific destruction. But who decides the use of drones? Who decides who to target? Laws of war make it illegal to target civilians. The U.S. Constitution guarantees due process for sure to U.S. citizens and probably non-citizens. The Nuremberg Principles obligate us to do something in order not to be complicit with the war crimes of our government. The Nuremberg Principles forbid wars of aggression, attacks on civilians and extrajudicial assassinations, all associated with drone warfare. Citizens have a duty to act where they can to prevent violations, even if the violations are committed by their government.

We would be able to provide you with many examples of civilians being killed in drone strikes. For example, see an article written by David S. Cloud, Los Angeles Times, April 10, 2011: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-afghanistan-drone-20110410,0,2818134,full.story. It details the slaughter of Afghan travelers on Feb. 21, 2010 by drone strikes orchestrated from Nevada ’s Creech Air Force Base, thousands of miles away. Because the travelers stopped to pray, they were considered Taliban. None of those Afghans, however, was an insurgent. They were men, women and children going about their business, but because of mis-identification 29 villagers were killed that day. No member of the U.S. military involved in this incident faced court-martial. Each survivor received about $2,900, and families of the dead received $4,800.

The ACLU recently filed a lawsuit demanding the Obama administration release legal and intelligence records on the killing of the three US citizens in Yemen . As our government continues to violate international law and to kill civilians, we citizen activists have to respond. Besides demonstrating and contacting the White House and our elected officials, we want to meet with you to discuss the illegality of killing civilians and to discover the extent of drone research at Johns Hopkins University .

Please let us know when a small group of us could meet with you to discuss the matters raised above. We look forward to your response.

In peace,

Max Obuszewski, on behalf of the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance [NCNR]

410-366-1637 or mobuszewski at verizon.net


Elizabeth Adams, Amherst, MA; Maria Allwine, NCNR, Baltimore; Jean Athey, coordinator, Peace Action Montgomery, Brookeville, MD; Ellen E Barfield, Phil Berrigan Chapter Veterans For Peace, Pledge of Resistance and NCNR; Sharon Black, All Peoples Congress, Baltimore; Toby Blomé, Bay Area CodePink organizer, San Francisco; Bernie L Brown, Pledge of Resistance, Baltimore; Linda K Brown, Baltimore; Timothy D. Chadwick, 18018-2319 Member of Humanity & NCNR; Bethlehem, PA; Marge Clark, BVM, Lobbyist, NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby; Washington, DC; Sherry Conable, on behalf of People United for Peace (PUP), Santa Cruz County, CA; Robert Cooke, Pax Christi, Gaithersburg, MD; Robert Daniels II, Lehigh-Pocono Committee of Concern (LEPOCO Peace Center), Bethlehem, PA; June Eisley, Delaware Pacem in Terris, Wilmington, DE; Joy First, NCNR, Madison, WI; Margaret Flowers, October2011 Movement, Baltimore; Carol E. Gay, Chairperson, NJ Labor Against War, president, NJ State Industrial Union Council (for identification purposes only), Somerset, NJ; Christine Gaunt, NCNR, Grinnell, IA; Tom H. Hastings;Whitefeather Peace Community, Oregon Peace Institute, PeaceVoice, Portland, OR; Martha Hennessy, Catholic Worker, New York City; Tarak Kauff, Veterans For Peace 28, Woodstock, NY; Judith Kelly, Pax Christi Pentagon Area, Arlington, VA; Malachy Kilbride, NCNR, Arlington, VA; Barbara Larcom, Ph.D. 1990, sociology, The Johns Hopkins University & national board chair, Alliance for Global Justice, Baltimore; Linda LeTendre, Saratoga Springs, NY; Brother John Mahoney, Baltimore; Kevin Martin, Peace Action, Silver Spring, MD; C. William Michaels, Esq., volunteer coordinator, Pax Christi-Baltimore; Don Muller, Sitka, Alaska; Bill Quigley, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law; Stephen Roblin, Towson MD; Manijeh Saba, NCNR, Somerset, NJ; Helen Schietinger, Washington, D.C.; David Schott, Veterans for Peace, Baltimore; Josie Setzler, Tiffin Area Pax Christi, Tiffin, Ohio; Robert M. Smith, Brandywine Peace Community, Philadelphia; David Soumis, Veterans for Peace Clarence Kailin Chapter 25, Madison Wisconsin; Mark D. Stansbery, Columbus Campaign for Arms Control, Columbus, Ohio; Alice Sturm Sutter, Nurse Practitioner, North Manhattan Neighbors for Peace and Justice, NYC Metro Raging Grannies, New York City; Bonnie Urfer, Nukewatch, Madison, WI; Marge Van Cleef, Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition, Philadelphia, PA


JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY REFUSES TO ARREST ANTI-KILLER DRONE ACTIVISTS

Around 12:15 PM on May 8, 2012, an NCNR entourage entered the president’s outer office to seek a meeting. A female assistant to the president graciously greeted the activists and indicated she would investigate if the letter was ever received. She never returned to speak with those of us concerned with drone research. Instead a male vice president came out and graciously listened to each activist’s concern. However, he informed us that the president was indisposed on a flight to Japan . He suggested that we should leave, but the activists indicated they would wait in the office.

Soon thereafter, a parade of Hopkins officials, security officers and representatives of the Baltimore City Police Department came to speak to the group to encourage us to leave. Everyone fit the description of a male dominant figure. The only other female on the scene was a member of the Baltimore Police. We assumed an arrest would take place at 5 PM, when the office was scheduled to close. It became apparent that someone from the university, presumably the president, made the decision not to arrest anyone. Another decision reached by someone was to deny the visitors access to a bathroom. In fact, two Baltimore Police officers were guarding the door. Also supporters were denied entry into the building, but they held an outside demonstration with a replica of a drone.

After about six hours, some of the citizen activists were desperate to use a bathroom. Max Obuszewski challenged those inside the building, some 40 strong, not to follow an “illegal order” to deny access to a bathroom. All but one lacked the courage to question authority. However, a uniformed member of Hopkins security moved the officers aside and opened the bathroom.

Around a decade ago, there was an occupation of the building by students demanding that university personnel be paid a living wage. Memory suggests this occupation went on for ten days. So the NCNR activists--Ellen Barfield, David Barrows, Tim Chadwick, Cindy Farquhar, Joy First, Malachy Kilbride, Max Obuszewski, Manijeh Saba and Alice Suter--decided to depart at 8 PM, after reading the letter and singing the classic anthem VINE AND FIG TREE. We are resolved to return, despite the fact that since we “trespassed” we are subject to arrest if we are again on campus.

During the occupation, we had an opportunity to speak with various Hopkins officials and representatives of the Baltimore City Police. Since we had a captive audience, we enlightened many who were present about the role played by the APL in doing drone research. There is a direct line between the APL’s research and killing of civilians in the Middle East . We sat and stood with many anti-drone research signs and photographs of drone victims throughout the occupation.

We raised many questions: Who reviews the U.S. 'kill list? Who decides the use of drones? Who decides who to target? Laws of war make it illegal to target civilians. Doesn’t the U.S. Constitution guarantee due process to U.S. citizens and probably non-citizens?

See also Joy First's account of the May 8 action: "Calling for End to Drone Research at Johns Hopkins University."

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Call for "No Drones" in Maryland Colleges, Universities, and Research Institutions

Friends,

A national call has been made for “April Days of Action” to focus on three key components of U.S. drone work: Drone Manufacturers, Drone Bases in the U.S., and Drone Research. (See the list about nationwide actions and post your own planned actions for April.)

Given the fact that drones are now the primary weapons of warfare used by the US, and for surveillance both domestic and abroad, the research and development of this warfare is growing rapidly at academic institutions, in our towns and neighborhoods. Drones are the perfect instrument for endless war that kills civilians, even as they target “militants” in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, and Afghanistan.

Academic institutions often receive large grants from the U.S. Department of Defense, enabling them to build labs within schools of engineering, for instance. We are well aware that without this research in robotics, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and the accompanying accessories, these drone warfare projects would probably not take place. So there is an interdependent relationship between the universities and the U.S. government and or its Department of Defense and CIA. (CIA drones are used in countries with which the U.S. is not “at war”, ie Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan, Mali, and others.)

While universities tend to publicize some information on their respective websites regarding the drone work, it is most often said to be for non-military purposes. And there are students working in the labs who are convinced that all the research is for humanitarian purposes. However, history has told us that non-military can quickly and easily become military. Moreover research has shown drones make mistakes on recognizing their targets.

We are therefore asking organizations and individuals, nationwide, to explore any drone research that might be going on at their local university. We are calling for local actions between April 16 and 18, 2013 (Suggested actions are listed below) Our limited research into University and Academic UAV programs indicates that research centers are operating in Maryland:
John Hopkins University - Drone Swarming - Baltimore
University of Maryland - College Park
Before those dates in April we will need to know what information you have acquired about the research and what actions and events your group is planning.This will be shared among groups in the Network. You can send this information to us at notodrone@gmail.com.

We will have a press committee that will receive your press release and any articles you are able to publish before or after the event.

This project will complement other outreach, education and action projects that will be launched in April, focusing on drone bases, April 27-28 and drone manufacturers , April 4-6.

Suggested actions:
  1. Learn what research is being done by searching on a university website. Look especially at the Engineering Dept. 
  2. Organize a forum, preferably on campus, with speakers and discussion. Be sure to publicize in campus newspapers, and possibly include a professor as one of the speakers. Also include local activists.
  3. Plan a small meeting with the appropriate persons in the department working on drone research, both professors and students.
  4. Hold vigils and leaflet on or close to the campus, as well as in town.
  5. Let us know if you need further tools for your research.
Thanks in advance for your reply to notodrone@gmail.com.

With all good wishes,

Marge Van Cleef, WILPF, Philadelphia
Leila Zand, For USA
Kathy Kelly, co-coordinator, Voices for Creative Nonviolence