Protestors gathered outside City Hall in Los Angeles Thursday to speak out against the use of drones by the Los Angeles Police Department.
A demonstration was staged by community activists across from LAPD Headquarters for a campaign called Drone-Free, LAPD/No Drones LA!, according to CBS Local. The police department said they would only be able to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in certain situations, such as hostage negotiations, and that the machines would only be able to stay in the air for about 20 minutes.
The fight against drone use by police began on Aug. 20, when the group sent a letter to Mayor Eric Garcetti about the issue.
"We believe the acquisition of drones signify a giant step forward in the militarization of local law enforcement that is normalizing continued surveillance and violations of human rights of our communities," said Hamid Kahn, a spokesman for the group.
The Draganflyer X-6 drones were given to the LAPD in May by the Seattle Police Department, NBC Los Angeles reported. The protestors said on Thursday that Seattle's mayor ended the drone use because of protests by residents over the use of the machines in their city, and that they hope to do the same in their own.
Bruce Borihahn, spokesman for the LAPD, said he is unaware of the drones' abilities, and that the department is not in possession of them. He added that police will not use the drones in LA until the civilian police commission, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and civil rights groups run a "lengthy approval process."
The drones are currently under the possession of a federal agency, according to Borihahn, and the police department is putting public trust over the use of the aircraft, CBS Local reported.
Hector Villagra, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said in June that while the department has received approval from the group for its transparency about receiving the drones, the ACLU is still concerned about the affect the machines will have on privacy, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Beck guaranteed the public that the police will only use the drones in manhunts, standoffs and other tactical situations.
"The Los Angeles Police Department will never, ever give up public confidence for a piece of police equipment," he said in June.
