Could Charlottesville be the first US no-drone zone?

Feb 06

Web Only

Could Charlottesville be the first US no-drone zone?

Resolution targets local law enforcement's use of unmanned aircraft.

"Protesting drones at Obama's inauguration". Photo from Flickr user worldcantwait [Creative Commons].

Charlottesville, Virginia is the first city in the United States to pass an anti-drone resolution. The writing of the resolution coincides with a leaked memo outlining the legal case for drone strikes on US citizens and a Federal Aviation Administration plan to allow the deployment of some 30,000 domestic drones.

View the story "Charlottesville an almost No Drone Zone" on StorifyCharlottesville an almost No Drone ZoneResolution targets local law enforcement's use of unmanned aircraft. Storified by The Stream· Wed, Feb 06 2013 10:18:15The image below is a spoof drone advertisement created by the artist "Essam" to raise awareness about US drones. NYPD DronesBitBoyAccording to the Rutherford Institute, the organization that drafted the resolution, it: urges the Virginia General Assembly to prevent police agencies from utilizing drones outfitted with anti-personnel devices such as tasers and tear gas and prohibit the government from using data recorded via police spy drones in criminal prosecutions.rutherford.orgThe passed resolution is less restrictive on drone use than the original draft, which sought to create a "No Drone Zone". #Charlottesville didn't BAN use of domestic drones - instead urged feds to adopt civil liberty safeguards IF (and when) drones are used.Coy BarefootBut some feel the ban may be premature. Charlottesville Vice Mayor, Kristin Szakos, who voted against the resolution, said she "can imagine ways in which drones might be used for positive things".
This 2012 article in opencanada.org outlines ways in which drones have been used for good. Protesting Drones at Obama's InaugurationWorld Can't WaitAlthough US federal law supersedes the Charlottesville resolution, advocates say it will inspire other local and state governments to pass similar measures. Activists hope their efforts will influence federal lawmakers on the issue. Good #News: #Ban on #drones moving forward in nine #states, passes in #Virginia #city http://unpromisedone.blogspot.com/2013/02/ban-on-drones-moving-forward-in-nine.html?spref=tw … #NDAA #FISA #SurveillanceChaos BringerActivists in Iowa City proactively looking to ban drones before they're already overhead. Smart. http://www.press-citizen.com/article/20130129/NEWS01/301290021/Group-working-ban-city-from-using-drones?gcheck=1Matthew HarwoodFlorida legislators vote to ban spying with drones - #USAHM http://usahitman.com/flvbswd/USAHitman.comTexas Lawmakers Consider Ban On Law Enforcement Using Drones To Spy on Private Property http://fb.me/2pLLLI1RpPerry lynn davis#Missouri lawmaker wants to ban drones so show-me doesn't become a police state. http://bit.ly/11PZjax @ncslorg @csgovtsStephen C. Fehr