In the early days of the work of the Global Network we learned about drones (then called Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). Drones were an early signal that the Pentagon and the weapons industry was eagerly moving into autonomous warfare. Today we often hear about navy drone ships and subs. It is frightening to contemplate how war would become even more invisible to the American people with the growing use of drones.
Even the military space plane (X-37) has shown that it is a super-drone and can stay in space, orbiting the planet, for more than a year at a time. This plane is used for surveillance, targeting, and could itself be used to launch various offensive operations.
So it is with much hope and determination that the Global Network endorses this campaign to ban the funding, development, testing and deployment of drones for surveillance and killing operations.
In 2013 the Global Network helped organize the passage of a drone bill in the Maine state legislature that required police to obtain warrants before they can spy on the public using drones. The bill was ultimately vetoed by the governor.
We pledge our assistance in promoting and working to educate the public about the necessity for a treaty to ban weaponized drones and military and police drone surveillance.
Bruce Gagnon, Secretary/Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, was among 31 protesters arrested at Hancock Field drone control base April 28, 2013.
