John,

Watching the news in the past week has been tough.

Hearing that the United States military has admitted to killing 10
civilians, including 7 children, after ordering a drone strike on the
wrong car is infuriating.

What's worse is that the military only admitted to this a week after a New
York Times visual investigation made it public.

These deaths are absolutely tragic and should have never happened. What's
even more heartbreaking is that over the last 20 years, thousands of other
innocent people have been killed in strikes just like that one.

We cannot help anyone, anywhere, if we don’t have strict principles about
when, where, and why we intervene. We must have a realistic understanding
of what conflict means, how we use force, and what the outcome of our
force will be. Any force must be transparent and whatever happens, must be
made public.

Yet, the entire drone program is anything but transparent and Ilhan Omar
perfectly described the secrecy surrounding the United States' use of
drones on Twitter.

[ [link removed] ][IMG]

[ [link removed] ]Stand with Ilhan Omar and DFA as we demand accountability for anyone
involved in this particular strike and push for a full inquiry into the
entire drone program.

Add Your Name: [link removed]

For those 10 people, what began as just another day, ended in a horrific
tragedy as the United States drone program dropped another bomb, killing
more innocent civilians.

It's impossible to talk seriously about this strike without first
acknowledging the lack of concern in this quote from General Kenneth
McKenzie who said, "It was a mistake ... I offer my sincere apology".

Just imagine if leaders of another country killed Americans across the
United States and casually said: "it was a mistake" all while continuing
to use drones that they know kill innocent people.

When the military murders people, it is never a mistake... it is a
calculated decision that they continue to make.

This strike highlights yet again how critical it is for us to work
together to hold the United States military accountable for the drone
program and the lives it has taken. 

Ilhan Omar said it best, sorry isn't enough. 

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The drone program has taken far too many innocent lives. We must refrain
from aggressive actions that could continue to endanger the lives of
civilians.

Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents right now, so
they know we want them to come out strong in favor of accountability and
against any new strikes that could take more innocent lives.

[ [link removed] ]Will you add your name to our petition now to tell Congress that we
need accountability for this particular strike and a full inquiry into the
entire drone program?

Add Your Name: [link removed]

Thank you for adding your name,

– Tre

Tre Graves
Campaign Organizer
Democracy for America




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