1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

The deployment of surveillance drones by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over protests in Los Angeles raises significant concerns about civil liberties and the right to peaceful assembly. The use of military-grade MQ-9 Predator drones, capable of high-altitude surveillance, to monitor protesters is a disproportionate and chilling overreach. While the CBP claims it is providing "officer safety surveillance," this invasive monitoring risks infringing on citizens' First Amendment rights. Moreover, the report that an LAPD helicopter announced it was filming protesters to "come to your house" is deeply alarming and appears intended to intimidate those exercising their constitutional right to protest. Such threats have no place in a free society. This concerning escalation of surveillance capabilities against US citizens demands an immediate cessation. These disturbing tactics erode public trust and undermine democratic values. I urge an end to the deployment of surveillance drones and other threatening monitoring against peaceful protesters. Robust oversight and policies must be implemented to protect citizens' civil liberties while allowing for lawful public safety operations.