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NATO-G8 Thu May 17 2012
March on Consulates Against NATO Drone Strikes
Around 50 protestors gathered at President Obama's campaign headquarters downtown to protest the use of unmanned, weaponized drones in the War on Terror. Organized by the women's anti-war group Code Pink, the protest moved from the campaign headquarters to the Canadian, British and German consulates.
The march was joined by around 20 bicycle-riding police officers, who used their bikes to block off the front pavilion of the Obama campaign headquarters.
"Drone strikes that target both militants and civilians are illegal," said Bill Quigley, a lawyer who is involved in the cause against drone strikes. "It's been illegal to assassinate people in other countries since President Ford and President Reagan made it illegal."
Protestors wore the names of drone strike victims from Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen and carried two large cardboard drones. Included in the names worn by protestors was Anwar Al-Awlaki, an American citizen and leading member of Al Qaeda who was killed by a drone strike in September, 2011.
In front of the German consulate, the group was joined by Tobias Plueger, former German delegate to the European Parliament, and Inge Hoeger, a member of the German Parliament.
"When they do wars they kill people, and when they do wars they also kill democracy," said Pflueger, referring to NATO.
"Because NATO is a war organization, Germany should be out of NATO," said Hoeger in German, translated by Plfueger. "And NATO should be disbanded."
Gary Davis / May 17, 2012 3:27 PM
Thanks for the clear, concise report. Looking for more of the same.