In 2020, amidst the backdrop of the George Floyd protests, Customs and Border Protection deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones in various locations, including Los Angeles. These joint-use, military-rated drones became a lightning rod for massive popular outrage. One of those drones was seen flying above non-violent demonstrations in one of America’s largest cities – further inciting public furor. Opponents contend that the misuse of high-tech surveillance tools endangers public safety to an alarming extent. They are just as concerned about potential government overreach, particularly in blue-controlled cities.
The MQ-9 Reaper, better known as a Predator drone, is mostly used in overseas battlefields. Its deployment in Los Angeles earlier this year against political protests has already drawn allegations. Critics say it is simply a laboratory to try out authoritarian playbook on blue America. According to flight trackers and aviation data, drones hovered over the course of these protests. This revelation escalated public concern regarding the increasing militarization of domestic policing.
Mayor’s Strong Reaction
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass denounced the drone operations, calling the actions a frightening “test case” for authoritarianism. She unequivocally condemned the federal government’s decision to deploy military assets for domestic surveillance. She argues that these moves disrespect local control.
“This is what happens when the federal government moves in and takes the authority away from the state or away from local government. I don’t think our city should be used for an experiment.” – Karen Bass
As Mayor Bass put it, her city is still reeling from the pandemonium. She referred to moves from “Washington DC,” claiming that the meddling from the federal government has only inflamed tensions on the ground.
Criticism of High-Tech Approaches
Critics are understandably alarmed by the deployment of the MQ-9 Reaper drone. They argue that it is less about keeping the public safe and more about stifling public dissent. Most agree that these militarized surveillance tools are really designed to protect the status quo and distract us from the real issues, not create peace. According to media commentators, these military spectacles sometimes provide useful distraction from otherwise terrible headlines. This new emphasis may be sufficient for the administration to dodge a bullet in terms of bad press.
Los Angeles is an important center for these activities. This begs critical questions about what it means to deploy military drones as surveillance tools in our communities. The presence of the drone raised alarms about a broader trend toward military involvement in domestic affairs, particularly under the Trump administration.
Broader Implications
The deployment of the MQ-9 Reaper drone came during its own firestorm of criticism. This episode foreshadowed the Trump administration’s strategy for quelling civil unrest. This was met by protests across the nation. Some civil liberties advocates cautioned that deploying military assets for domestic surveillance would be a dangerous precedent.
Additionally, reports indicated that the drone operations coincided with ICE’s activities, further complicating public perception of federal authority during times of social upheaval. The consequences of such actions have serious implications that threaten to upend some of the most fundamental questions of government authority and citizens’ rights to peacefully assemble.
