Sunday, June 29, 2014

Protest at the NSA/Potluck picnic/Protesters Fly Blimp Over NSA Data Center in Utah

Friends,

While our protest will be land-based, join the Pledge of Resistance-Baltimore in its annual Fourth of July trek to protest at the National Security Agency. This is Interdependence Day, and the criminal activity of the NSA must be challenged. Car pooling will begin at 10 AM on Fri., July 4 for the demonstration from 11 AM to noon. Call for information about the car pooling—410-366-1637—or use the Canine Road entrance to meet at 11 AM in the visitor’s parking lot at Fort Meade. Email mobuszewski@verizon.net.

DID YOU KNOW 34 million people will be traveling more than 50 miles this Fourth of July. You don't want to be with them. Instead, come to a cookout and get a report from the 30th National Convention of the CPUSA on Fri., July 4 from 5 to 8 PM at the home of Cindy and Sharon, 115 Springside Drive, Timonium 21093.

The three delegates from Baltimore who attended the Chicago convention will try to convey the enthusiasm of the delegates and national / international guests involved in the upsurge of people’s struggles, including young people working in the low-wage worker campaign which the Party is helping to build. Join the discussion of how the movements and the Communist Party of Maryland can be most effective in growing and helping to unite these struggles, including the challenge of this fall’s elections. Bring a dish or beverage to share. RSVP at 443-604-2298.

http://readersupportednews.org/news-section2/323-95/24480-protesters-fly-blimp-over-nsa-data-center-in-utah

Dobner writes: "Three activist groups flew a blimp emblazoned with the words 'Illegal Spying Below' over the National Security Agency's data center in Utah on Friday in protest against the federal government's mass surveillance programs."

Greenpeace flew a blimp above the NSA data center in Utah. (photo: Greenpeace)

Protesters Fly Blimp Over NSA Data Center in Utah

By Jennifer Dobner, Reuters
27 June 14

Three activist groups flew a blimp emblazoned with the words "Illegal Spying Below" over the National Security Agency's data center in Utah on Friday in protest against the federal government's mass surveillance programs.

The one-hour flight over the high-tech facility was launched by the environmental group Greenpeace, digital rights activists the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and a conservative political organization, the Tenth Amendment Center.

The 135-foot-long (41-meter-long) blimp, which is owned by Greenpeace, was adorned with a sign that read, "NSA Illegal Spying Below."

In an email to Reuters, the agency declined to comment. But a spokesman did note there is no restricted airspace over the data center, housed on the grounds of the Utah National Guard's Camp Williams, in Bluffdale, 23 miles (37 km) south of Salt Lake City.

The facility, which the NSA says provides the government with intelligence and warnings about cyber security threats, is thought to be the agency's largest data storage center.

The blimp protest coincided with the launch of an online campaign that rates members of Congress on actions the activists say either further or stop data collection efforts by the NSA.

Greenpeace said the report cards on the site standagainstspying.org were created by analyzing NSA reform bills in Congress and weighting proposals on the degree to which they would end mass data collection.
"Our right to privacy is not a partisan issue. It's a human rights issue," said Michael Boldin, founder of Tenth Amendment Center, which advocates for decentralized government.

"This coalition gives great hope for the future because it shows that people across the political spectrum can set aside differences to work together."

© 2014 Reader Supported News

Donations can be sent to the Baltimore Nonviolence Center, 325 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218. Ph: 410-366-1637; Email: mobuszewski [at] verizon.net. Go to http://baltimorenonviolencecenter.blogspot.com/

"The master class has always declared the wars; the subject class has always fought the battles. The master class has had all to gain and nothing to lose, while the subject class has had nothing to gain and everything to lose--especially their lives." Eugene Victor Debs

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