No Drones Over Gaza Or Anywhere! Direct Action At Holloman Air Force Base In Alamogordo

No drones vigil at Holloman Drone Base, April 26, with New Mexico State University students

Dozens converged at for a week of nonviolent resistance to the illegal drone training program at Holloman Air Force Base, including several students and teachers from New Mexico State University (NMSU), Las Cruces. Many of their signs noted opposition to the role of drones in Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza.

On April 24, business at the drone training program was interrupted at two main gates by a nonviolent blockade during morning commute hour. After five activists blockaded the less used West Gate for about 20 min, they ended their blockade after the one minute police warning.  Some then joined others at the Main gate and continued the interruption of criminal activity at the base.  Ultimately six were arrested:  Denise Sellers (San Diego), John Reese (High Rolls / Mtn. Park, NM), Natasha Robinson (Berkeley, CA), Toby Blomé (El Cerrito, CA), Virginia Hauflaire (Phoenix, AZ), and Ray Cage (Tucson, AZ).  No warning was given at the 2nd gate and arrests occurred speedily.

Peaceful Interruption of Illegal Drone Training Activity at Holloman’s Main Gate video.

Action at West Gate short video by Fred Bialy.

Arrestees were held at the police station and told that they would be be taken to the Otero County Detention Center to be processed and held over night.  But after a few hours arrestees were taken directly to court, arraigned, and released at about 1pm.

Participant Scott Thompson of Alamogordo said, “Our government primarily serves an elite class that profits from wars and is unconcerned with the suffering we inflict on other humans. It is the duty of every good citizen to look beyond the headlines and understand the inhumane waste of resources making unconstitutional wars on others. Via public outreach and thoughtful actions we hope to get the attention of the misinformed.”

New local allies joined the Holloman campaign for its week of actions. Lee Burnett, an Alamogordo Episcopalian minister in training, saw banners an signs on Highway 70 and joined in. Betts, Kathy, Bear, and Tim came from Tucson and Las Cruces. Teachers and students from NMSU came from Las Cruces to lead a Friday noon rally on Alamogordo’s White Sands Boulevard and then joined the final afternoon commute vigil at Holloman AFB.

Organizer Toby Blomé explained: “In spite of 14 years of persistent opposition to the U.S. drone program and the terror it brings to vulnerable communities, the Pentagon and the drone industry profiteers are plowing forward, creating an ever more destabilized world of weaponized drones. We will not be silent while young recruits continue to be trained in these heinous acts of remotely controlled killing, ultimately becoming victims themselves due to the consequences of severe moral injury.

This is not the world we want for our grandchildren, nor for the generations that follow them.”

From the related website ShutDownDroneWarfare.org:

After many years of bi-annual protests at Creech, the drone pilot/operator training program was moved from Creech to Holloman Air Force Base.  Was that because our persistent protests at Creech had an impact?  Newer recruits are more likely to be influenced by our peaceful and non-confrontational protests. Our innovative vigil themes stir up a "Call to Conscience."  

 

The secrecy of the drone program keeps it from the public eye. "Drone strikes" are rarely mentioned in the media or by the military, and the term "Air Strikes” provides convenient “shelter" from public scrutiny.  Our week of action uncovers the secrecy and educates the local community, as well as the base employees!  Equally important:  The inhumane US drone program causes deep moral injury to our military personnel themselves.  We offer alternatives and support to the new recruits and other employees, via signs, banners and leaflets that offer resources for GI support.