“Don’t look away” activists demand as drone warfare continues to kill innocent civilians and destroy families around the globe.
By the Institute for Public Accuracy
At 11 locations near U.S. military bases, in the days following Thanksgiving, Ban Killer Drone campaign activists will display portraits of ten people who were killed three months ago in Kabul, when a U.S. Predator drone fired a Hellfire missile into the family’s courtyard. The victims, seven of them children, were members of the Ahmadi family. The U.S. military mistakenly identified Zemari Ahmadi as a terrorist.
After following him for eight hours, analysts concluded he was driving a car filled with explosives intended for an attack that could harm U.S. military at the Hamid Karzai International airport in Kabul. Conclusive investigations showed he was a civilian, working for an NGO dedicated to nutrition, who had loaded canisters of water into the trunk of his car.
When it’s possible to interact with base employees, activists will offer a “memo” posing 12 questions. “In order to be accountable to us, and to your own conscience, we ask you to answer all these questions to yourselves and to the public.” The questions address ethical concerns about drone attacks.
Referring to the drone attack which killed the Ahmadi family, Joy First, who is coordinating an action in Madison, Wis., said, “This is a tragedy that happens all too often. Over 90 percent of the people killed by U.S. drones are not the ones who were targeted. Hundreds of thousands of innocent lives have been lost in these attacks, including so many children.”
The protests are being held in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Iowa, Missouri, New York, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.
Activists participating in the “Don’t Look Away” campaign urge U.S. elected representatives to demand more information and accountability regarding the drone attack that killed the Ahmadi family members. They also are calling for the U.S. government to give immediate reparations to the Ahmadis and for the United States to “unfreeze” Afghanistan’s assets to prevent starvation in that country.
The Ban Killer Drones network is also urging a Congressional investigation into the numbers and identities of all those killed by U.S. drones since 2001 and reparations for all their families. Ultimately, the Ban Killer Drones campaign believes an international treaty prohibiting weaponized drones should become part of international law.
Recent Posts
Jamaal Bowman’s Opponent Is The Top Recipient Of AIPAC Money
May 4, 2024
Take Action Now Here is the most complete, up-to-date view of AIPAC PAC donations to congressional candidates. by Donald Shaw, Sludge As Israel…
“This Militaristic Approach Has Been a Failure”: Meet Hala Rharrit, First U.S. Diplomat to Quit over Gaza
May 3, 2024
Take Action Now The Biden administration’s financial, military and diplomatic backing of Israel’s assault on Gaza has sparked dissent within the U.S.…
Will Southern Autoworkers Reverse Decades Of Union Decline?
May 3, 2024
Take Action Now Automakers rely on non-union plants in the South to drive down wages across the country. A UAW victory in Tennessee and an upcoming…
CNN Airs Outrageous Anti-Palestine Protest Segment
May 3, 2024
Take Action Now This segment from Dana Bash on the Palestine protest movement is one of the most shameful things ever seen on cable news. by Jack…