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.

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.

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. 

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.

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?

Thank you for adding your name,

– Tre

Tre Graves
Campaign Organizer
Democracy for America