WASHINGTON: Peace activists in the United States are starting a month of protests this week to mobilise American public opinion against drone strikes, the organisers say.
Also this week, a data firm in Berkley, California, released new interactive visuals, which track every drone strike the United States has carried out in Pakistan since 2004.
The Pitch Interactive says it plans to “shock people” into action against the unmanned aircraft, which has now become the main US weapon against suspected terrorists across the globe.
During the month-long protests, activists will target military bases, universities and companies involved in the drone warfare.
Organisers are hoping to capitalise on a recent controversy over the use of drones against US nationals to bring the drone issue on the centre stage of the American political debate.
Earlier this month, a US lawmaker used a 13-hour filibuster to draw attention to the Obama administration’s strategy of using drones against suspected American terrorists, arguing that the US constitution does not allow him to do so.
The protests will begin on April 3 with a rally in New York, followed by three days of protest outside the offices of drone manufacturers, including at San Diego-based General Atomics which makes Predator and Reaper drones.
Later in the month, protests will take place at universities and other institutions that conduct research into drones or help train drone pilots and operators.
At the end of the month, rallies and demonstrations will target military bases in the US from where drones operate, including Hancock air base near Syracuse, New York.
Rallies will also be held in Washington DC, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Honolulu, San Francisco, Sacramento, Minneapolis, Des Moines and others.
“There is a tremendous amount of scepticism with the public about these drone strikes … and about how innocent people are also killed in these attacks,” said Nick Mottern, of Know Drones, which is coordinating the protests.
The London-based Bureau of Investigative Journalism tracks drone casualties, and estimates that in Pakistan alone 366 strikes have killed up to 3,581 people, with 884 being innocent civilians. Of that total number of attacks, 314 have been ordered while Mr Obama has been in office.