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CBP's Predator Drone Flights Over LA Are a Dangerous Escalation
- CBP has confirmed flying Predator drones over Los Angeles during the ongoing protests, providing support to federal law enforcement agencies like ICE.
- Various state-level agencies in the US utilize drones and other vehicles for aerial surveillance, with California also using drones to fight forest fires.
- CBP's MQ-9 Reaper drones are military-grade UAVs used for reconnaissance and have the capability to be armed.
- The deployment of military drones over LA reflects expanding federal involvement in state matters, especially amidst the deployment of active-duty Marines and National Guard units.
- Matthew Feeney from Big Brother Watch emphasizes the significance of using military gear during protests especially when federal troops are deployed against state objections.
- The presence of Predator drones equipped with high-tech sensors can capture detailed footage of events like protests from high altitudes.
- CBP's Air and Marine Operations stated that the drone flights are focused on situational awareness and officer safety support.
- The usage of surveillance drones might increase as protests spread to other cities, according to Patrick Eddington from the Cato Institute.
- CBP claims that their operations do not involve surveillance of First Amendment activities, as per a commitment made by DHS in 2015.
- However, there are concerns about how the drone surveillance could support federal law enforcement efforts without monitoring protests.
- While the use of Predator drones over LA is not unprecedented, it raises worries about the normalization of military technology on civilian populations.
- Researchers and UAV experts urge people to reject the normalization of such surveillance tactics by the federal government.
- Concerns remain about the potential future deployment of surveillance drones by the government regardless of a state's handling of situations.
- The deployment of military drones during protests raises questions about civil liberties and the appropriate use of technology.
- The article discusses the concerns raised by experts about the deployment of military drones during protests and the implications on civil liberties and surveillance practices.
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