Rep. André Carson: Support the "Come Clean on Drones Killing" Bill!

"U.S. Representative André Carson , D-Indianapolis, member of the House aviation subcommittee, said [a recent] Call 6 Investigators' reporting has him pushing for action at the FAA and among members of his committee." The report in question was about "drones for hire" – a program that "allows individuals to rent unmanned aircraft for unspecified purposes, putting pilots and commercial airlines at risk." (See "Congressman Carson Speaks Up on Drones for Hire" in Rep. Carson's May 3, 2013 newsletter)

Now we need Rep. Carson to get up in arms about the killing that's being done with drones!

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. Carson's fellow progressive caucus members have become co-sponsors for the bill. So where is Rep. Carson?

Rep. Carson's 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)

As one protester, Carl, said, we need to keep urging people to resist -- "as long as the American people don't stand up and say "NO!" to this military machine we've created, the military-industrial complex that President Eisenhower warned us about, which is even worse now." Until then, he continued, it will be U.S. taxpayers "that are killing the people of Libya, and Syria, and Yemen, and Pakistan, and in Afghanistan, and in the Philippines. and in Somalia. All over the world, our drones our killing people in countries we haven't even declared war with."

(See Indianapolis: Hoosiers Protest Raytheon Role in Drone Killings )

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)?)

Report on May 7, 2014 No Drones Peace Vigil in Bloomington, Indiana

As reported in the Indiana Daily Student and on WFHB community radio, twenty-four people participated in the May 7th No Drones Peace Vigil in Bloomington, Indiana. Those present read 114 names of people in Pakistan and Yemen who have been killed by U.S. drone strikes, including many of the 69 children’s names who were killed in the attack on the madrassa in Chenagai, Pakistan on Oct. 30, 2006.

Bearing witness to the victims of U.S. drone terror.

Those reading names were a female singer/ performing artist
 originally from Iran, a businessman originally from Iraq,
 an Indiana University professor originally from Somalia,
 and an Oxford graduate/ writer/ Peace activist who is the
 son of a U.S. diplomat, who also recounted about the period
 between 9/11 and the launch of U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq,
 and how a return to diplomacy and a change of policy is now needed.

Timothy Baer MC’ed the event, gave an introduction about the U.S. drone program and why it should be ended, and encouraged everyone to contact President Obama to call for an end to drone strikes. 

"The MQ-9 Reaper drone...statically
 hovered over the assembled group
 and drew attention from passersby."

The MQ-9 Reaper drone replica with a nearly 12’ wingspan statically hovered over the assembled group and drew attention from passersby. Full color signs promoting the Drones Quilt Project exhibit, the ‘Not A Bug Splat’ project in Pakistan, and maps of areas where U.S. drone attacks occur were displayed. Newly printed signs were held, that read: Respect Human Rights, No More Drone Attacks, End Extra-Judicial Assassinations, End U.S. Drone Wars, and Stop Drone Killings. 

"STOP DRONE KILLINGS!"

Copies of the Drone Control Act, the proposed local anti-drone resolution, and anti-drone literature, as well as contact information for President Obama and Indiana members of Congress, were available and taken. 

People were encouraged to use pre-paid postcards and a suggested message to write to President Obama to end drone killings/ extra-judicial assassinations and to support international law. A number of postcards were written by participants and collected to be mailed.

The Spring Days of Drone Action are in full swing nationwide!
 CLICK HERE for more information!

Spring Days of Drone Action 2014 in BLOOMINGTON

The Bloomington Peace Action Coalition is hosting a slate of exciting events during April and May as part of this year's Spring Days of Drone Action, with opportunities both to organize against drone killing, bear witness to the suffering of the victims, and to spread the word to the public. Central to BPAC's efforts will be local anti-drone legislation for the city of Bloomington as well as the proposed Drone Control Act.


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Peace Vigil ~ “War Is Terrorism! End U.S. Drone Warfare – Stop All Drone Strikes!”

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Monroe County Courthouse Square
Corner of Kirkwood Ave. and Walnut Street
Bloomington, IN

Monroe County courthouse square

Join us under the 8' long Reaper drone replica on the Courthouse Square to stand for Peace and an end to all drone warfare. We'll have signs, banners, and anti-drone literature, including copies of the proposed local resolution and the Drone Control Act. Feel free to bring your own appropriate message of Peace. Join us to participate for Peace!


Monday, April 7, 2014
BPAC's Anti-Drone Committee Meeting
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Monroe County Public Library, Room 1-A
303 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Bloomington, IN

We're active with a structured campaign. Passing a local anti-drone resolution and informing our elected officials and the general public about the criminality of U.S. drone policy are our priorities. We need your involvement!


Monday, April 7, 2014
Bloomington Peace Action Coalition Meeting
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Monroe County Public Library, Room 1-A
303 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Bloomington, IN

All who are willing to work toward a Peace-filled world and positive change in U.S. foreign policy are strongly encouraged to attend.

The organizing agenda includes:
1. Updates on Iran, Syria, and Ukraine
2. Report/ discussion on the Anti-Drone Committee's work, including:
     A. Local anti-drone resolution and meetings with City Council members
     B. Participation in the 2014 Spring Days of Action to End Drone Killing campaign. 
     C. Discuss a meeting with Rep. Todd Young about Drone Control Act
     D. Drones Quilt Project (coming to south-central IN in May)
3. World Beyond War campaign  http://www.worldbeyondwar.org/ 

At the April 7th meeting, we will discuss contacting Indiana Rep.
 Todd Young (R)  to advocate for the Drone Control Act

Saturday, May 3 through Sunday, May 18, 2014
Drones Quilt Project 
Monroe County Public Library – 1st Floor Gallery Space
The Opening Reception will take place on Saturday, May 3 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. in room 1-C

Drones Quilt Project

Peace and blessings,
Timothy Baer
Organizer, Bloomington Peace Action Coalition
(812) 720-0437


The nationwide Spring Days of Drone Action are just beginning! CLICK HERE to learn more about events taking place around the nation.

Spring Days of Drone Action 2014

45 people, Reaper Drone, attend film screening in Bloomington

The Bloomington Peace Action Coalition held a screening of Robert Greenwald's Unmanned: America's Drone Wars last Thursday, 3/20 (the 11th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq) at the Monroe County Public library. At least 45 attended the screening, and many stayed afterward for discussion, which included a presentation and comment on the proposed national Drone Control Act as well as a local resolution to ban drone use in the City of Bloomington, similar to resolutions passed in Charlottesville, VA and other U.S. cities. The screening also provided an opportunity to announce the arrival in Bloomington of the Drone Quilt Project six weeks from now.

A Reaper Drone replica sat outside of the library underneath the
 Indiana state flag, showing Indiana's complicity in the Drone Wars
 while attracting viewers to the screening. Pictured
 are Susan Pennington, Linda Greene, and Timothy Baer of BPAC

Host a film screening, demonstration, or other event in your city as part of the nationwide Spring Days of Drone Action during the months of April and May! CLICK HERE to post info about your event and learn more about events all throughout the country.

Spring Days of Drone Action 2014

FREE FILM SCREENING: Unmanned: America's Drone Wars

All readers are cordially invited to a FREE film screening of the 2013 Robert Greenwald-directed Brave New Films production, UNMANNED: AMERICA’S DRONE WARS. The screening will be followed by a public discussion.

When: Thursday, March 20, 2014, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Monroe County Public Library Auditorium
303 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47408

"Unmanned is ESSENTIAL viewing." -Oliver Stone
"It's a POWERFUL movie that shakes you to your core." -Cenk Uygur

In his latest film, UNMANNED: AMERICA’S DRONE WARS, director Robert Greenwald examines the impact that U.S. drone strikes have at home and abroad. Through numerous interviews, including with a former American drone operator, Pakistani families mourning loved ones and seeking legal redress, investigative journalists, and top military officials warning against blowback from the loss of innocent life, the truth about U.S. drone warfare policy is revealed.

In never-before-seen footage from the tribal regions of Pakistan, drone strike survivors describe the brutal reality of drone attacks ordered during the Obama Administration. The film highlights the personal stories of Pakistanis impacted by U.S. drone policy, showing how delicate life can be in this war where no one is accepting responsibility for the casualties.

UNMANNED reveals that covert U.S. military actions are often imprecise and result in creating more enemies for the American people, who have little knowledge of how drone targets are set or why these extrajudicial killings are carried out.

See film preview and more about UNMANNED at:
http://unmanned.warcosts.com/unmanned_about 

The March 20th free film screening and discussion is sponsored by Bloomington Peace Action Coalition.

To learn more about this year's Spring Days of Action against Drones and post your own events, CLICK HERE.

Peace Vigil in Bloomington Courthouse Square Elicits Shouts of Approval from Passersby

Members of the Bloomington Peace Action Coalition braved cold temperatures to come out to the Bloomington Courthouse Square last Wednesday and demonstrate against the state-sponsored terrorism that is U.S. drone killing and imperialism. 

"WAR IS TERRORISM"

Timothy Baer of BPAC reported: "Today, our message was mostly well-received by motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians who gave us thumbs-up, peace signs, nodding heads, or shouts of affirmation. "

Timothy reports plans for more demonstrations in the very near future as part of the Spring Days of Action against drone warfare and surveillance.

Join BPAC and other groups and individuals around the country who plan to speak out this spring against drone killing. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Spring Days of Action.!

Peace Vigil: War Is Terrorism! End U.S. Drone Warfare- Stop all Drone Strikes!

Join the Bloomington Peace Action Coalition this Wednesday, March 5, 2014 from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. in
Monroe County Courthouse Square on the Corner of Kirkwood Ave. and Walnut Street in Bloomington, IN for our monthly vigil against drone killing.

Monroe County Courthouse in Bloomington

We'll have signs, banners, and literature. Feel free to bring your own message. Bundle up and participate for Peace!

CLICK HERE to learn about the upcoming nationwide Spring Days of Action against drone warfare and surveillance!