Evanston, IL Passes Resolution Against Warrantless Drone Spying

On May 28, the city of Evanston, Ill.  became the third U.S. city to pass a resolution against the use of unmanned drones for warrantless surveillance.

The City of Evanston establishes a moratorium on the use of drones in the City of Evanston in the absence of reasonable state and federal regulation of the use of drone technology which will expire without further action by the City Council two years from the date of this resolution; with the following exemptions:

Exceptions include hobby model aircraft and experimental aircraft not associated with the Department of Defense.

The resolution also expresses support for state efforts to restrict drone use. In fact, the Illinois legislature recently passed a bill doing just that, and it awaits the governor’s signature.

The city’s action is notable. Northwestern University is located in Evanston. As an Ivy League school, Northwestern attracts students, faculty and guests from all over the world. As a university, it is very reliant upon the federal government to provide research grants, to set-up research facilities, and it receives Title 8 funding for students. Northwestern is a major force in the Evanston community, and contributes greatly to the local economy.  One can only imagine the pressure exerted on these city council members.

Several lessons can be gleaned from their passage of the resolution.

1)      Nullification is accepted. Despite being repeatedly told that nullification is only accepted by a fringe section of society, we see that not only is it accepted, but is being used in a staunchly liberal area, and that it can be used even by a local government.

2)      The will of the people will be heard. While it is not being reported as such, one may infer that the city council passed this resolution because the citizens demanded it. If people rise up, local and state governments will listen and will act. Recently, in Jasper, Ga., the local airport was being set-up to be the base for a cadre of drones to patrol northern Georgia. While they did not pass a resolution, the citizens banded together and demanded that the unmanned drones not be allowed in their community. Their voices were heard and the plan was scrapped.

3)      Even in heavily progressive areas, the will to be free is present. For those fighting for liberty, even in progressive areas, the desire to brake off the shackles of an oppressive government is there. Continue to charge forth with the knowledge that the will for freedom is there.

TAKE ACTION

Go to your city and county governments. Encourage them to pass resolutions similar to Evanston’s calling on limits on drone use.

Contact state lawmakers, and ask them to pass legislation limiting drone use. Using model legislation from the Tenth Amendment Center, you can introduce legislation to nullify drones in your state with the Privacy Protection Act.

Model legislation HERE.

Share this information widely.  Please pass this along to your friends and family.  Also share it with any and all grassroots groups you’re in contact with around the state.  Please encourage them to email this information to their members and supporters.