The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used helicopters, airplanes and drones in more than 15 cities to watch protests over the killing of George Floyd and obtained more than 270 hours of surveillance.
According to data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) obtained by The New York Times and confirmed by The Hill, DHS surveilled demonstrations in Dayton, Ohio, New York City, Buffalo, N.Y., and Philadelphia, among other cities.
It then sent footage back to control centers managed by Air and Marine Operations, a CBP branch, that was then made available to other federal and local agencies.
The data comes amid a national conversation over the role police and law enforcement should play in dealing with protests, with scrutiny of certain local and federal tactics used during the demonstrations.
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“This administration has undermined the First Amendment freedoms of Americans of all races who are rightfully protesting George Floyd’s killing,” Democrats said in a letter to acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.
“The deployment of drones and officers to surveil protests is a gross abuse of authority and is particularly chilling when used against Americans who are protesting law enforcement brutality.”
Among the aircrafts used were AS350 helicopters and a Black Hawk helicopter. A predator drone was used twice.
Ever more New Normal
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) used helicopters, airplanes and drones in more than 15 cities to watch protests over the killing of George Floyd and obtained more than 270 hours of surveillance.
According to data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) obtained by The New York Times and confirmed by The Hill, DHS surveilled demonstrations in Dayton, Ohio, New York City, Buffalo, N.Y., and Philadelphia, among other cities.
It then sent footage back to control centers managed by Air and Marine Operations, a CBP branch, that was then made available to other federal and local agencies.
The data comes amid a national conversation over the role police and law enforcement should play in dealing with protests, with scrutiny of certain local and federal tactics used during the demonstrations.
✁
“This administration has undermined the First Amendment freedoms of Americans of all races who are rightfully protesting George Floyd’s killing,” Democrats said in a letter to acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.
“The deployment of drones and officers to surveil protests is a gross abuse of authority and is particularly chilling when used against Americans who are protesting law enforcement brutality.”
Among the aircrafts used were AS350 helicopters and a Black Hawk helicopter. A predator drone was used twice.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/503661-trump-admin-used-drones-helicopters-to-surveil-george-floyd-protests