- This event has passed.
Life Under Drone Surveillance
June 22, 2013 @ 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Action Name: SIMULATION OF LIFE UNDER 24-HOUR DRONE SURVEILLANCE Jun 22 NYC
Action URL: http://ny4cg.org/actions/
Action Mini URL: http://pjep.org/379f6
Date: 2013-06-22
Event Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Organization: Veterans for Peace, Chapter 034 New York City
Description: THE DRONE ZONE: CODE PINK SIMULATION OF LIFE UNDER 24-HOUR DRONE SURVEILLANCE
when: Saturday, June 22, 11 to 1:00 p.m.
where: the Cube at Astor Place
contact: Jill Godmilow (212) 226-2462, [email protected], or Jonathan Langer (716) 544-8237, [email protected]
(video documentation available)
On Saturday, June 22, at Astor Place, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a group of men and women will create a Drone Zone similar to those where the U.S. is terrorizing small villages in Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc.
“Crossing Guards”, 15 or so (women and men), each with a white, crossing guard diagonal sash, will be staged about 10 paces apart around a small area of Astor Place at Lafayette, next to The Cube… to produce “the zone.” They stand silent, as cautionary figures… looking much like crossing guards might if so instructed. The guards are holding upright and steady 8 foot PVC poles. On each pole is a sign that reads: “DRONE ALERT! YOU HAVE ENTERED A DRONE ZONE. PLEASE BE PREPARED TO TAKE SHELTER QUICKLY.” On top of each pole is mounted a mini-speaker emitting a low audio track of a drone continuously buzzing (as drones do flying over a Pakistani village), sourced from iPods or smart phones in their pockets.
If questioned by citizens, each crossing guard will have pink 4 x 6 cards to hand out. On one side is a brief description of life in Yemeni, Pakistani, Somali, Afghani village that suffers the tremendous stress and trauma from 24-hour drone surveillance, as well as potential strikes or crashes. On the other side of the card is a brief description of the CODE PINK Drone Theatre Project itself. Also, a list of on-line sites for more information about armed drone surveillance, targeted killings, and drone proliferation.
This action will be repeated again and again in New York City and elsewhere throughout the summer
NB: There will be video documentation of the project for use for television and online sites and other press locations..
Joan Wile, leader of Grandmothers Against the War, has stated “This project – silent street theatre – asks passersby to reflect on the condition of drone tormented and threatened populations. Perhaps it will also project the blowback of drones ultimately aimed at us.”