US Representative Jimmy Gomez introduced a bill that attempts to limit the use of military-style drones by federal law enforcement in order to monitor public demonstrations after it was revealed that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security used “predator” type drones last month to document protests stemming from government aggressive immigration enforcement.
Gomez, who represents District 34, which includes downtown LA and many surrounding communities, and is a protester of recent immigration enforcement efforts, said using these types of drones to monitor protests was inappropriate and should not be permitted.
“This is intended to be blackmailed, and it is intended to be monitored to provide surveillance of individuals engaged in protest,” he told NBCLA this week.
“It’s not that they’re used in Manhunt. It’s strict to see people who are actually taking part in these protests and see Sabil, which can have a calm effect when it comes to people’s rights to free speech and rights to frame,” he said.
The DHS drone was first noticed in early June only aviation enthusiasts and trackers after the drone flew around Arizona’s airspace – back and forth between LA and using Calligns booked for DHS aircraft.
Public flight data then captured signature hexagonal flight paths for drones across downtown and other regions of Southern California.
The Homeland Security Agency and Customs and Border Protection, which operate drones and other surveillance aircraft, did not immediately provide comment, but legislative analysts said they will consider the bill next week.
Flight tracking data shows that the DHS used traditional planes and helicopters to fly high-altitude surveillance missions, carrying almost identical cameras and sensors.
Gomez said the use of drones was uniquely intrusive and the HR4759 HR4759 was introduced to limit DHS use to core missions of border security and smuggling prevention.
“They have legal uses,” he said. “But I don’t believe in using these drones to monitor protests. Even if they agree that they are protesting, they should not be used for those purposes.”
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