Rally Set Against Minneapolis Drone Program Ahead of City Council Vote
Digital Editor Aaliyah Demry previews a July 15 rally at the Federal Courthouse Plaza against Minneapolis's proposed Skydio drone trial for MPD, organized by the Free Palestine Coalition alongside grassroots groups including the Twin City Coalition for Justice and the Anti-War Committee. The rally follows more than 30 residents opposing the program at a recent committee hearing, and comes one day ahead of the City Council's July 16 vote.
Minneapolis residents plan to protest at the Federal Courthouse Plaza over the proposed Skydio drone trial program on Wednesday, July 15.
This comes after more than 30 community members expressed opposition to the program at last week’s Minneapolis City Council’s Public Health, Safety, and Equity hearing.
The program would consist of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) participating in a 75-day free trial, launching two Skydio drones to sites of 911 calls in Ward 4. As MPD continues to face staffing shortages like many other departments across the country, it claims the drones can improve response times and help gather live footage of scenes before an officer arrives.
But residents pushed back hard during public testimony at the hearing. Many are concerned about Skydio, one of the largest drone manufacturers in the country, its shipments to Israel and the relationship the company has with the Department of Homeland Security.
The Free Palestine Coalition, the organization rallying the event, said in a statement that it’s no coincidence that the program will be held in a predominantly Black, Brown and Indigenous community, which can potentially cause more problems than solutions.
“The Minneapolis Police Department, that is responsible for the deaths of George Floyd, Amir Locke, Jamar Clark, and more, not be entrusted with surveillance technology that would disproportionately harm Black, Brown and Indigenous Minneapolis residents.”
Speakers will include Grassroots organizers from Ward 4, the Twin City Coalition for Justice, Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, the American Muslims for Palestine – Minnesota, and the Anti-War Committee.
The rally runs from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Federal Courthouse Plaza.
The Minneapolis City Council is set to vote on the proposal the following day, July 16.