Community Corner

Protest Against Drones Held Outside of Raytheon

Protesters assembled outside the company's Largo campus were against the use of remote control drones in warfare.

Traffic zoomed passed between construction cones and protesters holding signs and megaphones Thursday afternoon along Bryan Dairy Road.

The group of more than 50 people held signs outside of Raytheon's Largo campus. "War is not a video game" and other messages on posters and banners discouraged the use of drones in warfare. 

A pair of protesters used megaphones and called out across Raytheon's driveway. "Hey Obama, here's the plan, stop the drones in Pakistan."

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Tom Buddemeier said they came to Raytheon because the company is one of several in Pinellas County that makes remote control drones.

Budemeier, of St. Petersburg, was against the use of taxpayer money for wars.

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"I am against warfare. It's a tool of international bankers. They make us pay taxes on the (war) debt," Buddemeier said.

Wendell Wilson, of St. Petersburg, said he thought drones create problems for Americans.

"There should be a way to be more civilized than just bombing. It's not addressing the issues of what you are bombing ... you are only making more hardships," Wilson said.

The Largo protest was one of at least a couple events on drone warfare before next week's Republican National Convention in Tampa. Organizers also held a book discussion Wednesday in St. Petersburg on Medea Benjamin's "Drone Warfare: Killing by Remote Control," according to a news release.

Protest participants included CODEPINK, St. Pete for Peace, Food Not Bombs and Veterans for Peace, according to a news release. 

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with the protestors? Post a comment below.


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