Community Corner

Protesters Fly Drone Over General Atomics CEO's House in La Jolla

Approximately 40 protesters gathered outside of Neal Blue's La Jolla Farms home Friday morning to demonstrating against the use of "killer drones" under both the Obama administration.

Activists gathered outside of General Atomics CEO Neal Blue's La Jolla home Friday morning to protest against the drone industry, which has a large presence in San Diego.

CODEPINK, a national anti-war organization, staged the event to call attention to the billions in taxpayer's dollars the U.S. government spends on the use of drones.

Many of the 40 protesters participated in role-play. Tighe Barry, of Los Angeles, dressed as Blue with dollar-sign glasses, suit and tie and bag of money to rally the crowd. Many others wore fancy dresses and pig noses. 

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In addition, the group read the names of minors that it said had been killed by General Atomics’ drones in Yemen and Pakistan.

"It's so exciting to see that people around the country are now questioning the use of drones to kill people around the world with no accountability," said CODEPINK co-founder Medea Benjamin in a statement. "Focusing on General Atomics in San Diego is absolutely critical, as it is a company that literally makes a killing out of killing. It's time to name and shame the companies and people who profit from keeping us in a terrible cycle of endless war."

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The group also flew a remote controlled "drone," which was about the size of a loaf of bread, in front of Blue's house.

San Diego Police were on hand to monitor the peaceful protest. 

The drone was scheduled to fly over General Atomics headquarters and Northrop Grumman’s later Friday. The group will demonstrate near the U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum in San Diego on Saturday.


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