Yemen: Anti Drone Protests in the US

The Answer Coalition organized a march and rally across the US to oppose predator drones and extrajudicial killings.

In solidarity they wrote:

Over 5,000 people have been murdered by U.S. drone strikes in the last few years, including a large number of children among the many civilians who have been slaughtered by these robotic killing machines…Join us at the White House for a march and rally on Saturday, April 13 to let the world know that the people of this country are demanding “Drones Out of Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Everywhere!”

They tweeted:

‏@answercoalition:”Every time you go to kill someone with drones, you create hatred. Why do they hate us? Look at what you're doing!” #april13

@answercoalition: “We will not sit down as long as they kill in our name” #GeneralAtomics #Stopdrones #april13 #NoDrones pic.twitter.com/NekfiHbIm4

Yemeni activists, Summer Nasser, who travelled from New York, and Rooj Alwazir, who is in Washington DC, urged all Yemenis in the US to protest in front of the White House against US drones in Yemen. Rooj Alwazir uploaded a video of part of the speech by activist Bushra al-Maqtari, who also attended the march:

She also tweeted:

@Rooj129: When #Drones fly, people die! Calling it what it is, MURDER.

Other organizations such as CODEPINK also participated in the rallies.

In Washington:

Jenna Pole, an activist and photo-journalist tweeted: @BatmanWI: Protesting drones today outside of the White House. #nodrones http://twitpic.com/cj56hl

Crowds protesting drones outside the White House

Crowds protesting drones outside the White House

Rooj Alwazir standing in front of the White House holding a CODEPINK  banner

Rooj Alwazir standing in front of the White House holding a CODEPINK banner

The march headed to the General Atomics Headquarters, who manufacture drones, as CODEPINK tweeted:

@codepink:Powerful picture taken in front of General Atomics headquarters in DC. #stopdrones @barackobama pic.twitter.com/TVP7MUFRMC

In Los Angeles:

TomG who was at the rally in L.A also tweeted a photo:

‏@IMTomG: at the #NoDrones rally in LA pic.twitter.com/PyBxaiqn82

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In San Francisco:
David Colburn tweeted:

@davidcolburn: “Obama's Accomplishments” http://twitpic.com/cj4mfe #NoDrones protest in #SanFrancisco. #Drones #OSF #OO

A protestor in the anti-drones protest in San Farancisco holding a sign opposing drones and extrajudicial killings

A protestor in the anti-drones protest in San Farancisco holding a sign opposing drones and extrajudicial killings

In San Diego:

No Drones sign in neon overlooking a highway in San Diego (shared via twitter by Rooj Alwazir)

No Drones sign in neon overlooking a highway in San Diego

Jenna Pope shared a set of photos on her Facebook page and blog.

More tweets and photos can be found in this Storify.

Many activists in Yemen and Pakistan have publicly opposed the use of drones in their countries. Many American journalists and Middle East experts have also condemned the use of drones. HRW recently published a joint letter with human rights and civil rights groups expressing concern regarding U.S. drone strikes and targeted killings. It meant a great deal for people in the Middle East to see and hear average American citizens also voice their rejection.

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