KNOWDRONES

GET THIS LETTER TO DRONE OPERATORS

PLEASE ACT NOW TO GET THIS LETTER TO DRONE OPERATORS INTO AIR FORCE TIMES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

The U.S. drone war is escalating.   Please join U.S. military veterans who are raising money to put this call to conscience into Air Force Times, a weekly newspaper with a circulation of over 65,000.  Readers include members of the Air Force, the Air National Guard, Pentagon officials and members of Congress and their staffs.

Matthew Hoh, a former Marine and State Department official who was stationed in Afghanistan, and who resigned his State Department position in protest of U.S. policies in Afghanistan, said of Air Force Times: 

“It’s got a huge reach and will be read by airman, dependents, retirees, USAF civilians, contractors, etc all around the world. It’s left lying around in ready rooms, maintenance bays, PXs, chow halls, etc, in some locations overseas it’s provided for free. At Joint Bases it will be seen by soldiers, sailors and Marines, as well as civilians and contractors.”

We want this call to appear as soon as possible, given the intensification of drone attacks in Afghanistan, the continuing drone attacks in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia and the new drone campaign in Iraq and Syria.  A Bureau of Investigative Journalism report indicates that other areas under drone surveillance and potential places of attack include: “Iran, North Africa, the Trans-Sahel (West Africa), Levant region (includes Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey as well as Syria), Gulf States and territorial waters.”

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2015/07/30/revealed-private-isr-firms-tracking-terror-targets-at-heart-us-drone-wars/

Click below to contribute.

VETERANS URGE DRONE OPERATORS, "REFUSE TO FLY"

HELP SHOW THE REAL TRUTH TO U.S. TV AUDIENCES

SUPPORT the FIRST-EVER TV COMMERCIALS SHOWING DRONE DEAD and CALLING ON DRONE “PILOTS” to REFUSE to FLY.

Video images in the advertisement from the documentary film "Wounds of Waziristan".

We need your help to continue an extraordinary campaign that uses a 15-second television commercial to show the UNCENSORED TRUTH about drone murder to hundreds of thousands, or more, U.S. television viewers!

On February 27, this first-ever TV commercial began a week-long run on various cable channels in Las Vegas, NV, including CNN and MSNBC, showing viewers living near the Creech AFB drone control center what they probably have never seen before – children killed and mutilated by U.S. drones.  It’s graphic but necessary.

On Mar 31, the same commercial began a month’s run on CNN, MSNBC and even FoxNews in and around Beale AFB outside Sacramento, CA, a base critical to supporting U.S. killer drone operations.

We consider these showings to be a remarkable achievement because until now the images of those killed and injured by U.S. drones have been kept off of American television screens.

In addition to showing drone victims, the voice-over on the ad says: “Drone pilots, please refuse to fly.”

There is growing news coverage about the commercials.  Here is a link to an article in the Sacramento Bee, the major paper in northern California and part of the McClatchy Company news chain: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article17894003.html 

This resulted in this article in Air Force Times, which will be read by many Air Force people and their families around the world:

http://www.airforcetimes.com/story/military/2015/04/09/commercials-against-drone-strikes/25532163/​

Vice News followed with this report: https://news.vice.com/article/graphic-new-veteran-sponsored-ads-are-asking-drone-pilots-not-to-fly

Here is a link to an RT report also resulting from the showing of the ad near Beale: http://youtu.be/GTdlqqdrZ1U

And this is a report on KFBK, a radio station with a wide reach in northern California: http://www.kfbk.com/articles/kfbk-news-461777/new-tv-ads-take-aim-at-13461862/

The Guardian published this piece:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/01/anti-drone-television-ad-us-air-force-bases-california-nevada

All video clips and footage in the advertisements come from the independent short documentary film, Wounds of Waziristan (www.woundsofwaziristan.com), directed by filmmaker and journalist, Madiha Tahir and co-produced by Messiah Rhodes and AJ Russo. The half-hour film features two survivors of drone attacks. One of them, Saddam, can be seen in the ad holding the photo of his dead niece. The documentary was released on Vice Motherboard as well as Democracy Now! marking the first time that Americans saw an extended portrayal of the consequences of drone attacks. 

Here are links to additional coverage of this campaign.  Please note particularly David Swanson’s report for War Is A Crime.org that was critical in generating other coverage and which includes a list quotes addressing the illegality and immorality of drone war as well as a drone war fact sheet.

http://warisacrime.org/content/television-commercial-california-asks-drone-pilots-stop-killing

http://m.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas/anti-drone-protesters-arrested-creech-air-force-base

http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2015-03-05/peace/nv-protesters-american-drones-killing-children/a44947-1

We are now entering the second phase of this advertising campaign, and we are asking you to please contribute toward a total of $8,000 that will be needed, minimally, to run the TV ad in areas surrounding drone control centers at Hancock Air National Guard Base outside Syracuse, NY; Niagara Falls Air National Guard Base; Whiteman AFB near Knob Noster, MO; and Cannon AFB near Clovis, NM.

The campaign is being coordinated with local cable companies and networks by Information in the Public Interest, an activist social justice ad agency that produces issue-advertising for only progressive peace, environmental and social justice causes, operated by Cres Vellucci, a member of Veterans for Peace and other anti-war groups. Contributions are not tax deductible because the agency does political work.  All the money collected goes directly to buying airtime for the commercials.  $25 may buy a spot on CNN, $50 a spot on MSNBC (depending on the rates in local areas).

Please contribute whatever you can, and circulate this appeal far and wide.

Thank you for considering this request.

In solidarity,

Nick Mottern, http://www.knowdrones.com/
Cres Vellucci, Vets for Peace and Information in the Public Interest

Note: Organizational endorsers and sponsors include:
CODEPINK
KnowDrones.com
Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space
Veterans for Peace – Sacramento
Veterans Democratic Club of Sacramento Valley
WESPAC Foundation

ACTION BRIEFING (October 30, 2015)

1.  Nov. 4 – Important Conference Call

Please join the phone conference being held at 9 pm EST by the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR). NCNR member Joy First writes:

“Following an action with 15 people arrested in front of the White House on September 22 and the recent release of the Drone Papers we believe the time is right to mobilize quickly and plan another action focusing on Obama's role in the drone program.  We need many voices to come together to brainstorm and plan something that will be a strong act of resistance.”

The call will be on Wed. Nov. 4 at 9:00 pm EST

Call-in number 605-475-2090 - Access code 109431#

2.  Winter War Witness – 2015.

For many of us, winter means snow and frigid temperatures, but please consider continuing anti-drone war/anti-war protests even in the cold. I will be preparing a handout to be published in December entitled: ”What is Drone War (and What Does It Have in Common with Police Violence)?” The handout will include maps showing drone bases in the US and overseas as well as key Western corporate interests in drone attack zones. If you would like to assist in preparing this handout, please be in touch: nickmottern@gmail.com

3.  March 7, 8, 2015 – UN Action on Proxy Wars.

Kathy Kelly reports that she, Medea Benjamin, Ann Wright and Vicky Ross have discussed the possibility of a March 7 – 8 action at the UN regarding the “proxy wars being fought in Iraq Syria and the wider region and the problems caused by the veto power in the security council.  Open up the UN!”  Kathy notes that March 8th is International Women’s Day.

4.  March 27 – April 2, 20015 – Drone War Crimes Hearing.

Toby Blome and I are discussing the possibility of holding a Drone War Crimes Hearing in Las Vegas, NV, during CodePink’s Spring action at Creech AFB. The hearing would be based on, but not limited to, the information provided in The Intercept’s Drone Papers. Las Vegas is under consideration because of its close proximity to Creech, possibly the foremost drone control and training center inside the US. If you would like to participate in the organizing of this hearing please write: nickmottern@gmail.com

5.  April and May 2015.

Projected weekly United Nations vigils/teach-ins seeking sanctions on nations that conduct drone surveillance and attacks and/or fail to curb police violence. The vigils would be held on Wednesdays from 11 am – 2 pm in front of the UN building in New York City with supporting vigils/teach-ins held elsewhere at the same time. Various groups will be asked to take responsibility for each event, giving them an opportunity for exposure as well as expression.   Please send your thoughts on this project: nickmottern@gmail.com

“WAIST DEEP IN THE BIG MUDDY”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXnJVkEX8O4

“The military fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, known as Isis, is locked in a stalemate, and criticism is mounting across the 60-nation coalition pledged to combat the group that Washington’s strategy to defeat the jihadis is failing.”  - Financial Times Weekend edition, September 19, 2015

The U.S. drone surveillance/assassination program has served President Obama as evidence that he is aggressively fighting “terror”.  And what he has allowed to be revealed about the program is just enough to fix in the U.S. public mind that drone killing is a happy way to kill without putting too many U.S. military people in harm’s way.  Here is a link to a recent such disclosure: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-launches-secret-drone-campaign-to-hunt-islamic-state-leaders-in-syria/2015/09/01/723b3e04-5033-11e5-933e-7d06c647a395_story.html

The Financial Times article quoted above suggests that in truth, the drone campaign and the U.S. air campaign in Syria and Iraq are not getting the job done in the battle against Isis anymore than the B-52 devastation visited on North Viet Nam could get that job done.

This, of course, will not mean less drone flights, it will mean more, just as with the B-52 assault.  Indeed, the September 14th edition of Air Force Times suggests in an article entitled “U.S. Troops on New ISIS Front” that Egypt has been or will soon be added to the list of nations now living under drones. 

This all means more drone missions laid on already stressed Air Force personnel, and, according to recent reports, more drone missions being undertaken by U.S. Army personnel using Grey Eagle drones (a variant of the Predator 1) and possibly Shadow drones.

Please read the article from Kathy Kelly in Kabul  (Attachment A) in which she notes that the U.S. is attaching virtue to its drone missions in Afghanistan.  The linked report from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism suggests that Afghanistan may be among the nations hardest hit by U.S. drone and air attacks. https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2015/09/02/monthly-drone-report-august-2015-32-us-strikes-hit-afghanistan-alone/

 

ATTACHMENT A

Predators, Near and Far
by Kathy Kelly

September 21, 2015

#Enough! Fatima needs food and proper medical care, not war!

Kabul—Some days ago, at the Afghan Peace Volunteers’ Borderfree Center, I met Jamila, the mother of a little girl, Fatima, who comes to the Street Kids School, a program designed to help children working on the streets go to school.  Jamila, a young mother of seven, smiles and laughs easily, even though she faces dire circumstances here in Kabul.

Nine years ago, at age 19, she fled escalating conflict in Pul e Khumri, located in the northern province of Baghlan, and moved to Kabul.  Jamila had already been married for 12  years.

Her family, desperate for income, had sold her in marriage to an older man when she was seven years old. As a child, she lived in servitude to the family of her future husband, earning a small income for them through sewing and embroidering. 

At age 13, She gave birth to her oldest daughter . With her when we met were two of her middle daughters, Fatima and Nozuko.  Her oldest daughter is no longer with her, as, at age 12, she was given away, six years ago now, in marriage. Jamila is determined not to give her remaining daughters away in marriage while they are still children.

One and a half years ago, Fatima, then aged 9, developed a fever which lasted for about a month. All four of her limbs became paralyzed.  In a hospital at Wazir Akbar Khan, doctors said she was 10 minutes away from death. They treated her for typhoid meningitis and hospitalized her. After a month, the doctors said she was not ready for discharge, but Jamila had other children to take care of and had already incurred huge debt. The doctors made her sign a form saying they were not responsible if Fatima died.  They said Jamila must continue with twice-a-day injections of strong antibiotics.

After being discharged from the hospital, Fatima continued receiving the injections for a year and a half until, one day, about three months ago, Jamila abruptly stopped giving Fatima the injections.  When Fatima developed a fever, Jamila became panicky again. 

Fatima finally ended up in a private hospital whose initial tests cost 3,000 Afghanis (about $50 U.S. dollars).  Jamila begged loans from her sister, her uncle and her cousins to pay for the lab tests.  

Doctors told Jamila that Fatima needed the injections because the typhoid bacteria were in her blood.

At this point, Jamila, facing a debt of 140,000 Afghanis (about $2333 U.S. dollars ), finds it hard to sleep, worrying for Fatima and her other children. How will she pay her debts?  How can she buy flour to make bread so that the children have something to eat? 

Her only means of income is through washing clothes.  The people she washes clothes for say times are hard, and they don’t have any income themselves. They have only paid her twice over the past two months, once in the form of some meat and rice.

Fatima in her mud house compound, with Ali, an Afghan Peace Volunteer teacher who helped Fatima get a proper medical assessment

Jamila met the Afghan Peace Volunteers when Hadisa and Abdulhai visited her home in April this year as part of a survey designed to identify children who could participate in the Street Kids School. When Ali, a volunteer teacher at the Street Kids School, learned about Fatima’s illness, he introduced Jamila to Hakim, the mentor for the Afghan Peace Volunteers. Hakim is a medical doctor from Singapore.  Since 2004, when he first began working in Afghanistan, Hakim has recognized that the country’s health care system is riddled by pervasively corrupt practices.  Appalled by the massive doses of antibiotics prescribed for Fatima, Hakim recommended a stool sample analysis which could be done through the lab of a local hospital.  The lab report showed that Fatima no longer needed the antibiotics, that her medical condition was normal. 

The medical system in Afghanistan failed to help Jamila and Fatima. Lack of oversight allowed corrupt doctors and pharmacists to over-prescribe antibiotics, and Jamila had nowhere to turn for a second opinion or for any assistance. Greedy predators, purportedly delivering health care, have steadily taken money from desperate people, like Jamila, in payment for useless or even murderous treatments.  

Jamila and Fatima clearly trust Hakim.  They both looked relieved as he emphatically encouraged the mother and daughter to overcome fears about Fatima’s health.  He told Fatima that she can become strong and stay healthy by drinking clean water and having a healthy diet, including her favorite dishes of beans and chick peas. But Jamila faces another tragic health problem - she can’t even afford flour for bread, let alone nutritious but costly beans for her children. 

The World Food Programme recently reported an alarming rise in food insecurity, across Afghanistan. 

The U.S. pours billions of dollars into surveying Afghanistan, flying Predator drones over cities, towns and roadways, claiming to better understand “patterns of life” in Afghanistan.  But the war system establishes tragic patterns of death, of poverty, misinformation, desperate insecurity, and continued despair. If she could flee her circumstances, Jamila surely would seek refuge elsewhere in the world.  But she has nowhere to turn and nowhere to hide from Predators near and far.

Young people gathering at the Afghan Peace Volunteer’s Borderfree Center long to embrace innumerable people afflicted by war who share Jamila’s seemingly insoluble problems.  Thoughtfully, carefully, they’ve designed a campaign that they call  #Enough! – a simple yet compelling call to abolish wars and instead work to meet human needs.  We asked Jamila if she thought her problems were connected to war.  “Yes,| she said. “War leads to poverty and because of that poverty I have had so many problems.   I hope the war will end so that I can find enough food.”

Kathy Kelly (Kathy@vcnv.org) co-coordinates Voices for Creative Nonviolence (vcnv.org) While in Afghanistan, she is a guest of the Afghan Peace Volunteers (ourjourneytosmile.com)

Photo credit: Dr. Hakim

REPORT ON THE “REFUSE TO FLY” CAMPAIGN

http://documentarystorm.com/sir-no-sir/

As noted in previous bulletins, a campaign is now underway to encourage drone operators to refuse to fly.  The campaign is necessary not only because the President and the Congress are very comfortable with drone assassination regardless of the law or morality but because the general public has been kept in the dark about the realities of drone war and “targeted killing”.  

The most recent development in the campaign was the publication in September 14, 2015 edition of Air Force Times of a letter from veterans urging drone operators to refuse to fly drone surveillance/attack missions.  See the related press release (Attachment B, below) and this press coverage:

http://www.rt.com/usa/315920-air-force-drone-advertisement/

http://www.examiner.com/article/air-force-times-historic-human-rights-ad-disobey-orders-refuse-to-fly-drones

The campaign also involves TV ads, and on September 24, these ads will begin airing for a week in Des Moines, Iowa, coinciding with the final days of the Ray McGovern – Coleen Rowley speaking tour in the state.  Ads will also be aired in Manchester, New Hampshire, in October in relation to the growing press attention to that state’s presidential primary.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TV ADS AT:

https://www.gofundme.com/knowdronesadappeal

 

ATTACHMENT B

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Wednesday/September 16, 2015

Contact: Nick Mottern – Coordinator, KnowDrones.com (914) 806-6179  nickmottern@gmail.com

AIR FORCE TIMES AGREES TO RUN AD PAID FOR BY MILITARY VETERANS URGING DRONE OPERATORS TO 'REFUSE TO FLY'

Hastings on Hudson, NY – In what is probably a first, the Air Force Times this week is publishing a controversial advertisement from 54 U.S. military veterans and veterans organizations urging Air Force drone operators and other military personnel to refuse their orders...and not fly drone surveillance/attack missions.

Air Force Times is a weekly newspaper, owned by Tegna Inc., with a circulation of over 65,000 that includes members of the Air Force, the Air National Guard, Pentagon officials and members of Congress and their staffs.  The ad appears in the edition of AF Times that carries an annual report on the state of the U.S.Air Force.

http://tinyurl.com/RefuseToFlyAFTimesAd or http://tinyurl.com/RefuseToFlyAFTimesAdPage28

Television ads, also sponsored by veterans, have been airing on FoxNews, CNN and other networks since early 2015 – urging military personnel to disobey orders and "Refuse to Fly."  http://tinyurl.com/AntiDroneTVAd

The nearly $5,000 ad, sponsored by Iraq Veterans Against the War, KnowDrones.com, Veterans for Peace and World Can’t Wait, and supported by Code Pink, Mennonite 1040 for Peace Committee, War Is a Crime.com and WorldBeyondWar.org, and individual veterans and friends, states:

"As retired and former members of the U.S. military, we urge U.S. drone pilots, sensor operators and support teams to refuse to play any role in drone surveillance/assassination missions. These missions profoundly violate domestic and international laws intended to protect individuals’ rights to life, privacy and due process.

"According to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, as of September 1, 2015, up to 6,069 lives have been taken by U.S. drone attacks in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. This figure does not include uncounted lives lost to U.S. drone attacks in Afghanistan before 2015, or in Iraq, Libya, the Philippines and Syria. All were killed without due process. These attacks, which are also terrorizing thousands, are undermining principles of international law and human rights such as those enumerated in the U.N. International Declaration of Human Rights, written in 1948 with the blood of the atrocities of World War II freshly in mind. The United States is a signatory to this declaration.

"Those involved in U.S. drone operations who refuse to participate in drone missions will be acting in accordance with Principle IV of the Principles of International Law Recognized in the Charter of the Nuremberg Tribunal and the Judgment of the Tribunal, The United Nations 1950: 'The fact that a person acted pursuant to order of his Government or of a superior does not relieve him of responsibility under international law, provided a moral choice was in fact possible.'

"So, yes, you do have a choice — and liability under the law. Choose the moral one. Choose the legal one."

The ad comes at a time of increasing drone surveillance and attack missions, which are now underway in Syria as well as Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. A Bureau of Investigative Journalism report indicates that other areas under drone surveillance and potential places of attack include: “Iran, North Africa, the Trans-Sahel (West Africa), Levant region (includes Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey as well as Syria), Gulf States and territorial waters.” https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2015/07/30/revealed-private-isr-firms-tracking-terror-targets-at-heart-us-drone-wars/

MORE ARRESTS AT HANCOCK

On September 21, five drone protesters were arrested for blocking the gate of the Hancock Air National Guard base outside Syracuse, NY in a witness that included placing figures of drone victims in the main driveway into the base. 

All of the protesters have been arrested before at Hancock.  Ed Kinane, who thinks that this is his sixth Hancock arrest, asked that special mention be made of Dan Bergavin, one of those arrested, “our propster artist exraordinaire” who created the figures of the drone victims used to block the driveway.

The following report is from Ellen Grady; video by John Amidon.

Drones Kill Children--Hancock Drone Base Gates Closed         

This morning, Monday, September 21, members of the grassroots human rights coalition, Upstate (NY) Drone Action Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the Wars were arrested for closing the main gate of Hancock Airfield to call a halt to the US weaponized drone program operated out of Hancock, in the Town of Dewitt north and east of Syracuse, NY, by the 174^thAttack Wing of the NYS Air National Guard.   Hancock is home to “hunter/killer” (the Pentagon’s phrase) MQ9 Reaper drone.  The theme of today’s event was:  Drones Kill Children. 

Those arrested include Dan Bergavin and James Ricks of Ithaca and Ed Kinane, Bonny Mahoney and Julienne Oldfield of Syracuse, who held signs reading “Drones Kill Children” behind wooden figures of drone victims, including dead and dying children. The activists stated at the gates, "We U.S. citizens and taxpayers look on with horror at the millions of refugees fleeing airborne terror and are shamed by our unconsented complicity."

This action is held on the UN General Assembly-designated International World Day of Peace, to bring attention to the US weaponized drone program that not only kills and maims humans, but also destroys homes, displaces and terrorizes whole communities, and perpetuates endless war.

Today’s event is one of a number of Upstate Drone Action’s persistent nonviolent campaign to expose the Hancock war crimes.   On March 19, 2015, Upstate Drone Action shut the main Hancock gate with giant books—the UN Charter, Dirty Wars by Jeremy Sahill, Living Under Drones (NYU and Stanford Law Schools), and You Never Die Twice (Reprieve).

For more information on the Upstate Coalition to Ground the Drones and End the wars can be found at http://upstatedroneaction.org/.

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA14hZopfL0

DO WE NEED A GLOBAL DRONE BAN YET?

These two articles are further evidence of the need for an international ban against drone surveillance and weaponized drones, weapons that are violating the privacy and terrorizing tens of thousands of poor people of color.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/21/us-mideast-crisis-syria-drones-idUSKCN0RL1CI20150921

http://ewn.co.za/2015/09/22/India-turns-to-Israel-for-armed-drones

DRONE AND PEACE PROTESTS IN FALL 2015

SEPT. 26 – HORSHAM, PA

This message is from Daniel Riehl:

Help bring Pope Francis’ message of justice and peace to the Philadelphia area on Saturday, September 26, by joining the public witness from noon until 2 p.m. to oppose the U.S. military’s plan to make the Horsham Air Guard Station an integral part of the expanding domestic network of drone bases, training sites and command centers.   Because of anticipated traffic congestion surrounding the Pope’s presence in Philadelphia that day, those traveling to Horsham from Lancaster County will leave the Akron Mennonite Church parking lot at 9:30 a.m.  If you are able to participate, contact H.A. Penner at penner@dejazzd.com  717-859-3529 or Daniel Riehl at danyre72@gmail.com 717 519 2674 so sufficient transportation can be arranged. 

SEPT. 28 – BEALE AFB

The following from Veterans for Peace member Barry Binks:

Here is the schedule for our protests at Beale Air Force Base this month.  The theme for September is Campaign Non-Violence.  We have changed the schedule for October because so many of us will be in Las Vegas on trial for trespassing at Creech Air Force base.  Instead of meeting for the last Monday & Tuesday of October we will gather one week earlier, on October 19 & 20.  Theme for October will be Halloween. 

Monday, Sep 28, 3 - 5pm, Join Northern Calif. Activists United Against Drone Warfare at Beale AFB Main Gate, 4675 N. Beale Rd, Marysville monthly protest, followed by potluck and camping at the main gate, FMI: Sacramento: 916-284-0944, bbinks@comcast.net; Nevada County: 941-320-0291;  Bay Area: Toby;(510)215-5974,  ratherbenyckeling@comcast.net;  Chico: Chris Nelson 530-345-7590   Note: If the main gate is closedMonday afternoon we will meet at the Wheatland gate.

Tuesday, Sep 29, 6 - 8am, Join Northern Calif. Activists United Against Drone Warfare at Beale AFB Wheatland Gate 3960 S. Beale Rd. @ Ostrom Rd, Marysville monthly protest. FMI: Sacramento: 916-284-0944,bbinks@comcast.net; Nevada County: 941-320-0291; Bay Area: Toby; (510) 215-5974,  ratherbenyckeling@comcast.net;  Chico: Chris Nelson 530-345-7590

You can find more information about our actions at Beale on our Face Book page:  "Occupy Beale Air Force Base". Be sure to click on “Events” to check on upcoming activity.

If you are receiving more than one copy of this Bulletin, or would like to be removed from the mailing list, please email me at bbinks@comcast.net.

Thank you all for your support.  I hope to see you at Beale AFB this month.

SEPT. 30 –  DES MOINES AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE

"Iowa Must Not Pilot Reaper Drones" Rally
Iowa Air National Guard, 132nd Attack Wing in Des Moines, Iowa
Date: Sept. 30, 2015
Time: 3PM to 4PM
Where: 3100 McKinley Ave, Des Moines

The rally, led by the Veterans for Peace Chapter #163 (Des Moines) and the Catholic Peace Ministry, will feature Ray McGovern http://www.raymcgovern.com/ and Coleen Rowley https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coleen_Rowley

Between them, McGovern & Rowley have 51 years of service in the CIA and FBI. They have become determined, articulate, and uniquely informed spokespersons for peace.

(Ray & Coleen will be at Drake University at 7PM that evening, speaking on "Use and Abuse of US Intelligence.") https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/iowa-peace-list/UBhONdgFq8M

For further information about the September 30th rally, contact:

Erika McCroskey
515 554-7899
catholicpeaceministry@gmail.com

Also supported by Veterans for Peace Chapters #161 & #169; AmericanFriends Service Committee; Des Moines Catholic Worker ; Know Drones.com; Maloy, IA Catholic Worker

OCT. 3–10 –  KEEP SPACE FOR PEACE WEEK

Please see Attachment C (below) for a listing of events inside and outside the U.S. organized by the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space, directed by Bruce Gagnon.

OCT. 7  –  HANCOCK TO NIAGARA FALLS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE WALK

WE NEED TO KNOW: WILL YOU BE WALKING WITH US?

As you no doubt are aware, the Upstate Drone Action Coalition is planning a 165-mile Walk Against Killer Drones, from Hancock Air Base to the Niagara Falls Air Base. The Walk is scheduled for October 7-21, with stops along the way in Rochester, Brockport, and Niagara Falls. 

The goal of the Walk is to heighten public awareness of the mindless murder and relentless terror perpetrated in our names by the escalating use of killer drones.

PLEASE JOIN US!

Those of us planning the logistics for this event (quantities of food, etc.) need to know AS SOON AS POSSIBLE how many are planning to participate in all or some portion of the Walk. We are hoping for a substantial number of walkers in this important event, so we encourage you to participate yourself, and to reach out to your own communities to enlist still more participants.

IMPORTANT: Please let us know ASAP that you or others you know will be joining us for all or part of the Walk.

Contact Peg Gefell at 585-313-6674 or at peg.fink.gefell@gmail.com

Thank you!

OCT. 9–24 –  MAINE WALK FOR PEACE

Check this link for information on the Maine Walk for Peace, organized by Veterans for Peace, that will go from Ellsworth, Maine, along Route 1 to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. http://vfpmaine.org/walk for peace 2015.html

OCT. 20–NOV. 1  –  CREECH AFB

http://org.salsalabs.com/o/826/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1317599

CODEPINK WOMEN’S RETREAT & DRONE RESISTANCE WEEK         

Sat. Oct. 24-Sun. Nov. 1 

(Please note:  1st week, Oct. 20-23, "mass mobilization" cancelled.)

Bay Area CODEPINK has been returning annually to Creech AFB in Nevada since 2009 to resist drone murders.  Creech is the most important center for the United States' illegal and brutal targeted killing operations by drones, and it is where hundreds of children and thousands of others from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Libya, Iraq and elsewhere have been murdered remotely under the top command of the CIA.  Please join us in creating a peaceful force opposing militarism and barbaric drone killing & surveillance.   

Why go to Creech?    

Watch SHUT DOWN CREECH   2015 Documentary:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=enRbp51pVSI  (24 min.....WARNING:  graphic images in first 2 min.)

CODEPINK at Creech, April 2014:

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&feature=vm&video_id=vAFi5NbYBZ8  (36 min.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVB6D2iVb70  (Short Version:  6 min.)

This will be a women only gathering of military base activists, staying at the Goddess Temple Guest House.  Engage in creative & joyful strategizing for peace with your sisters while enjoying the beauty of the desert.  "Creative resistance" planned later in the week.  Participate in daily morning and afternoon vigils, M-F, at the entrance to Creech AFB.  Send a strong message to base personnel: 

NO DRONES!    WAR IS NOT WORKING!   MUSLIM LIVES MATTER!

Provide courtroom support for SHUT DOWN CREECH 2015 defendants at their Las Vegas trials.  14 activists have individual trials, October 26-28, in the afternoon.  We will carpool into Las Vegas daily, for those interested.  Courthouse rallies planned also. 

Space is limited to 20 women.  Please reply asap, space is filling up quickly.

Please reserve by Sept. 30 and let us know what days/nights you’ll join us.

IMPORTANT:  Please wait for confirmation from us BEFORE purchasing tickets.

Eleanor will coordinate ride sharing.

RIDE OFFER:  We have funds to pay for rental van and gas to transport 4-6 people from the Bay Area.  Leaving on Sat. morning, Oct. 24, and returning Sat. orSun. Oct. 31 or Sun. Nov. 1, depending on the majority's wishes.  Reserve early to guarantee a seat.  There is also the option for people to fly down one way and use van one way.  

(Flight cost not included)

(Beds for almost everyone).

(http://www.sekhmettemple.com/temple-of-goddess-spirituality/goddess-temple-virtual-tour/guest-house/)  

Hope you can join us!
Martha, Eleanor & Toby

Contacts:
For Reservations, Toby Blome:   ratherbenyckeling@comcast.net,  510-215-5974
For Rides, Eleanor Levine:    eastbaycodepink@gmail.com 
For More Information, Martha Hubert:  mhubert7@earthlink.net

 

ATTACHMENT C

 October 3-10, 2015

Keep Space for Peace Week
International Week of Protest to
Stop the Militarization of Space

Stop Drones Surveillance & Killing
No Missile Defense
No to NATO
End Corporate Domination of Foreign/Military Policy
Convert the Military Industrial Complex
Deal with climate change and global poverty

Augusta, Maine (Oct 9) Augusta Women in Black vigil from 12:30 to 1:00 PM in front of Lithgow Library.  rleisnerrfm@yahoo.com

Bath Iron Works, Maine (Oct 3) Vigil across from administration building on Washington Street (Navy Aegis destroyers outfitted with “missile defense” systems built at BIW) 11:30-12:30 am   Smilin’ Trees Disarmament Farm (207) 763-4062

Boryong, South Korea (Oct 4)   No to THAAD ‘missile defense’ system protest only for the sake of US and Japan destroying peace and economy. Organized by SPARK spark946@hanmail.net

Chongju, South Korea (Oct 7)   At Bus terminal.  No to THAAD ‘missile defense’ system protest only for the sake of US and Japan destroying peace and economy. Organized by SPARK spark946@hanmail.net

USAF Croughton, England (Oct 3) National March & Rally at U.S. satellite communication and intelligence base. (Space communications, drones, bomber guidance, missile defence and command & control functions.)  12.00 midday to 3:30 pm. Special guest Robb Johnson. Evening peace concert after rally at Friends Meeting House in Oxford at 7:00 pm.  Oxfordshire Peace Campaign, oxonpeace@yahoo.co.uk  

Daejeon, South Korea (Oct 6)   At Chungnam university, Mokwon Univ, Daejeon Univ.  No to THAAD ‘missile defense’ system protest only for the sake of US and Japan destroying peace and economy. Organized by SPARK spark946@hanmail.net

Janakpurdham, Nepal (Oct 5) Introductory/ interaction meeting about Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space and my experience of Okinawa, Kyoto and Hiroshima conferences. Social Development Path (SODEP) http://www.sodep.org.np/

Jeonju, South Korea (Oct 3)  At Jeonbuk University, Korean traditional village touring site.  No to THAAD ‘missile defense’ system protest  only for the sake of US and Japan destroying peace and economy. Organized by SPARK spark946@hanmail.net    

Kemijärvi, Finland (Oct 3) Peace defenders will hold a street protest against drone testing and war training area where NATO is feared to be preparing for war with Russia.  kerstin.tuomala@pp.inet.fi 

King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (Oct 10) Noon, Demonstration and kite flying in front of Lockheed Martin (L-M) at intersection of Mall & Goddard Boulevards.   L-M is making a killing in drone war and surveillance technology, building the remote-controlled unmanned planes and satellites that direct the drones and launch their deadly Hellfire missiles which L-M also builds. For more info Brandywine Peace Community, (610) 544-1818 brandywine@juno.com  or www.brandywinepeace.com 

Kolkata, India (Oct 11) Public Meeting at Kolkata organised by Mrs. Arundhoti Roy Chouddhury (arundhoti@gmail.com). Global Network board member J. Narayana Rao to speak.

Kyoto, Japan (Oct 3) Kyoto Coalition against the U.S. X-band Radar Base in Ukawa village will hold indoor rally and march.

Maine Walk for Peace: Pentagon’s Impact on the Oceans (Oct 9-24) Join us in shedding light on the Militarization of the Seas as the US Navy (outfitted with missile defense and space-directed missiles) ramps up their global operations to encircle Russia & China. We will explore environment impacts of Navy on the oceans.  Walk from Ellsworth to Portsmouth.  See flyer at www.vfpmaine.org

Menwith Hill, England (Oct 6) Demonstration at U.S. NSA/NRO Spy Base in Yorkshire.  6-7:30 pm.   Sponsored by CAAB  mail@caab.corner.org.uk  orpercy@phonecoop.coop

Nagpur, India (Oct 3) Mass Rally at Motibalgh jointly by S.E.C. Rly Pensioners Assn and Pragatisjheel Railway Mahila Samaj. Coordinator J. Saraswati. jnrao193636@gmail.com

Nagpur, India (Oct 3) Program on the dangers of weaponization of space at 11 AM to be held at the Women's College.  jnrao193636@gmail.com

Nagpur, India (Oct 3) Program on the dangers of weaponization of space at 2:00 with the students at the National Social Work College.  jnrao193636@gmail.com

Nagpur, India (Oct 4) Bernie Mayer (American Gandhi) will address a women's rally at 4:00 pm on how the masses can be attracted to struggle against space weaponisation through Gandhian technique.  jnrao193636@gmail.com

Nonsan, South Korea (Oct 5)   No to THAAD ‘missile defense’ system protest only for the sake of US and Japan destroying peace and economy. Organized by SPARK spark946@hanmail.net

Pyongtaek, South Korea (Oct 8) At Railroad station.  No to THAAD ‘missile defense’ system protest only for the sake of US and Japan destroying peace and economy. Organized by SPARK spark946@hanmail.net

Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado (Oct 7) Protest at Air Force Space Command’s Space Warfare Center and new joint interagency combined space operations center that will bring the civilian spooks from National Reconnaissance Office and National Security Agency together with military space agencies like Defense Information Systems Agency. bill.sulzman@gmail.com

Seongnam, South Korea Oct 9   (At traditional market) No to THAAD ‘missile defense’ system  protest only for the sake of US and Japan destroying peace and economy. Organized by SPARK spark946@hanmail.net

Seoul, South Korea (Oct 23) No to THAAD only for the sake of US and Japan destroying peace and economy protest rally when Security Meeting of US and S. Korea is being held. Organized by SPARK spark946@hanmail.net

Suwon, South Korea Oct 10   No to THAAD ‘missile defense’ system protest only for the sake of US and Japan destroying peace and economy. Organized by SPARKspark946@hanmail.net

Tucson, Arizona (Oct 6) Vigil at Raytheon Missile Systems. Join the Raytheon Peacemakers as we demonstrate against war and those who profit from it.  Survival demands better ideas, not better weapons.  Hermans Road entrance. (3rd traffic light south of Valencia on Nogales Highway, the extension of South 6th Avenue). Park off Nogales Highway, between railroad tracks and highway.  Signs provided, or bring your own!  More info: 520-323-8697.

Vandenberg AFB, California (Oct 7) Vigil in solidarity with "Keep Space for Peace Week" at the main gate of space warfare base from 3:45pm to 4:45pm. For info, contact Dennis Apel at (805) 878-2614.

Washington DC (Oct 5) Pentagon will hold "Keep Space for Peace" and "No Weapons in Space" signs during Dorothy Day Catholic Worker weekly peace vigil. 7-8 AM artlaffin@hotmail.com

Washington DC (Oct 9) White House will hold "Keep Space for Peace" and "No Weapons in Space" signs during Dorothy Day Catholic Worker weekly peace vigil. Noon-1:00 PM  artlaffin@hotmail.com

Keep Space for Peace Week is co-sponsored by the Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom

Resources:

Download our full-size space week poster at:  http://www.space4peace.org/actions/Keep%20Space%20for%20Peacer%20Poster%202015.pdf

Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 443-9502
globalnet@mindspring.com
www.space4peace.org
http://space4peace.blogspot.com

AIR FORCE TIMES RUNS VETERANS AD URGING DRONE OPERATORS: “REFUSE TO FLY”

On September 14, 2015, Air Force Times published the advertisement shown here carrying the message from 54 U.S. military veterans urging U.S. drone operators to refuse orders to fly drone surveillance/attack missions.

In addition to Iraq Veterans Against the War, KnowDrones.com, Veterans for Peace and World Can’t Wait, the ad is supported by: Code Pink; Mennonite 1040 for Peace Committee; War Is a Crime.com and WorldBeyondWar.com and many people who contributed on GoFundMe and in response to appeals at the annual Kateri and Veterans for Peace conferences.

Air Force Times is a weekly newspaper, owned by Tegna Inc., with a circulation of over 65,000 that includes members of the Air Force, the Air National Guard, Pentagon officials and members of Congress and their staffs.

The ad comes at a time of increasing drone surveillance and attack missions, which are now underway in Syria as well as Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia.

A Bureau of Investigative Journalism report indicates that other areas under drone surveillance and potential places of attack include: “Iran, North Africa, the Trans-Sahel (West Africa), Levant region (includes Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey as well as Syria), Gulf States and territorial waters.”

https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2015/07/30/revealed-private-isr-firms-tracking-terror-targets-at-heart-us-drone-wars/