SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15 - SYRACUSE, NY

--10:30 am, for those who like to walk: March from ArtRage Gallery (a political art gallery at 505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse - map) to the Hancock Air National Guard Base Entrance (about 5.5 miles). Contact Paul 315-475-2811 or Peg at 585-313-6674.

--Noon-12:45, for those who would like to have a place to gather before going to the base: Gathering at ArtRage Gallery (a political art gallery at 505 Hawley Ave, Syracuse - map)

We'll provide a simple lunch (soup and bread) - If you're thinking of coming for lunch, please contact Ann with an approximate number of people so we can plan for food.

--12:45-1 ish - Very short program at ArtRage. Kathy Kelly will say a few words, as well as John Brule, a local activist who has been researching the drones in Syracuse.

--1 ish - carpool to the Hancock Air National Guard Base - or meet us there (6001 E. Molloy Rd., Mattydale - map ; also directions from ArtRage to the Base)

Park on Moore or Falso, streets which are very close to the base.

--1:30-2:15 - Moving picket in front of entrance of Hancock Air National Guard Base. Park on Falso or Moore

The base is in a light industrial area right next to Hancock Airport. There are no sidewalks, so we'll be picketing on the shoulders of the street (the shoulders are wide).

Bring signs, creative props (but remember, we'll be moving). You (or a group of folks) are encouraged to write a letter of protest, which we will deliver to the guard house at the close of the picket.

--2:15 on - Return to ArtRage for planning meeting and Cynthia Banas celebration

First, we'll celebrate local activist Cynthia Banas' birthday (she's turning 80) with cake and ice cream. Then we'll hold a regional meeting focused on drones organizing.

What we need from you!

--Yourselves!

--Bring signs (or use one of ours) and props.

--Bring a letter of protest to deliver to the guard house.

--Contact Ann if you know you're coming for lunch (and about how many people you're coming with).

Schedule Updates

Will be posted on www.peacecouncil.net and at 315.472.5478

Background about drones

--Ed Kinane's article "Drones and Dishonor in Central NY" in the recent Peace Newsletter.

--Background info from the Syracuse Peace Council www.peacecouncil.net/drones/index.htm

-- "The Predator War" by Jane Mayer (The New Yorker, Oct. 26, 2009)

--Nevada Desert Experience website section on drones

-- "The Reaper Comes to Syracuse's Hancock Field" - Syracuse Post Standard

--Piece below by John Brule, who has been researching the drones in Syracuse.

The Drone Programs are Coming to Syracuse

Soon now Syracuse, New York will become an active participant in the everlasting war in Afghanistan. The government has decided to operate Drones out of the 174th Air National Guard base here and some of the local politicians are thrilled that people here in Syracuse will be able to fire missiles and drop bombs in a land thousands of miles away. It’s a matter of jobs. The planes flown by the 174th are F-16’s and they are to be decommissioned. By introducing the drone programs to Syracuse there will be new jobs to replace the current ones.

As we understand it the current plan includes the provision to provide housing and maintenance for some Drones here at Hancock field. Then the Drones will be flown through civilian airspace to a military airbase in Watertown, NY on a daily basis. The drones flown to Watertown will be controlled from Syracuse and will supply training for operators and pilots.

However, that is only part of the plan. The overall plan includes operating Drones in the war zone and controlling them from the base here in Syracuse. These Drones will be based close to the war zone and personnel near those bases will take the Drones through the take-off and landing phases of flight. Once they are airborne the Syracuse personnel will control them and implement the decisions about where to fly and when to fire weapons and what to shoot at.

Two people here in Syracuse will be involved with each Drone in the war zone. One person will handle the mechanics of flight and the other will process the information being gathered by onboard cameras and other sensors. Of course one can also expect that various other personnel, both CIA and military, will be involved in the decision making process of when, where and who to fire at.

So we join the 21st century of automated warfare. Now the pliers of the weapons of war will be able to have dinner with their families after their grizzly daytime task.