Fall Action at Creech Killer Drone Base
Report Back by Toby Blomé
Creech Killer Drone Base, Nevada (October 30, 20240 — A small group of committed activists converged in the southern desert at Creech Killer Drone Base, Oct. 13-19, for a week of resistance to the illegal US Drone Assassination Program. They traveled from as far away as Oregon, Northern California, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada.
Some participated in the entire week, others came when they could, but they shared one thing in common: an abhorrence to the inhumanity and illegality of the US drone program that takes human life remotely and covertly from thousands of miles away.
Some of the week’s commute hour vigils emphasized the horrors of Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza, being assisted remotely by US drone pilots and operators. The week culminated on Wednesday in a nonviolent blockade of the entrance road, temporarily halting business as usual at the base with a large banner: “SEND FOOD to GAZA, not WEAPONS to ISRAEL“.
Most blockaders, unable to fully risk arrest, participated until police gave dispersal orders. Colleen, of CODEPINK Las Vegas, remained long enough to deliver a passionate message from Palestine HERE. Toby Blomé held the blockade for as long as possible, displaying a sign directed at the Creech AFB commander: “PROSECUTE Col. Pederson 4 War Crimes.” She was arrested in the company of 15+ Las Vegas police officers, detained for an hour, then cited and released, thankfully avoiding an undesirable stay in the Las Vegas jail!
The beginning of the week started out well, with Las Vegas police exhibiting more tolerant and less controlling oversight to our peaceful activities compared to recent years. It was refreshing to learn that a new officer, Lieutenant Bleak, was in charge of our week of protests.. We welcomed that change after more difficult recent years under the previous officer in charge, who had a history of unprofessional practices.
Members from a new CODEPINK Las Vegas chapter joined us multiple times, bringing younger and vibrant energy and posting our actions on TikTok and Instagram, resulting in thousands of views! Thank you Karen and Colleen for your valuable contributions.
Highlights of our Week of Resistance
Our Successes:
-Great media coverage during an election season, including Democracy Now.org and pre-event coverage on KPFA Pacifica radio in Berkeley!
-Impactful vigils throughout week, including: “Drone Attacks Are…”, “War is a Lie,” “Creechers for the Climate/War is Not Green,” Day of Resistance: STOP DRONING GAZA (“Food to Gaza, not Weapons to Israel).
-Mon, Oct. 13, we joined NevadaDesertExperience.org “Justice For Our Desert” sunrise action at the Nevada Test Site to oppose US ongoing and illegal nuclear weapons research & development.
–Diana led a fun fan-making workshop, bringing more “creechers” to our WAR is not GREEN vigil.
-We survived the heat! (94 degrees early in week)
-We supported each other under challenging conditions (No running water, Windstorm on last day, no refrigeration, roughing it camping, little shade. (Thank you Karen Pettit for that canopy and Michael Kerr for those umbrella-covered portable picnic tables!)
-The desert wind goddesses were kind….only one super windy day!
-Great support from: NevadaDesertExperience.org for much needed extra supplies; Areeya from the Goddess Temple, offering shower access and “restoration space”; a local resident who provided “Freezer support” for our coolers, and so many others!
-Good connections made with Creech personnel thanks to or “friendship greeter,” Oregon’s Amy Merryday, who donned herself with lots of pink and offered good-hearted love and kindness!
-Michael Kerr successfully towed our port-a-potty from Las Vegas to/from Creech with his Toyota Prius!
-Kinder and fairer oversight by Las Vegas police overall, and no one was sent to the Las Vegas jail!
Lastly, WE MADE A DIFFERENCE on the base, on the highway and elsewhere….likely many conversations took place at Creech, in town and later with family members and friends because we were there to question the unacceptable status quo of US militarism. FREE PALESTINE NOW!
GRATITUDE:
So much gratitude to so many people who helped make this all possible, including the generous donors who provided the necessary funds for travel stipends and other expenses: Thank you Kathy Labriola, Ray Cage, VFP-Albuquerque, Bruce Radtke, and Maggie Huntington.
Extra special thanks to the Creecher campers who took the time in their lives to be there and our Las Vegas friends and allies who participated when they could! We did it!
We will return… until militarize drones are grounded for good!
Toby, Virginia, Fred, Michael, Amy, Diana, Phoebe, and Shirley
“Telling It Like It Is” at Creech Killer Drone Base,
Fall Action, 2024. IT WAS A SUCCESS!
Highlights of our peaceful DAY OF RESISTANCE:
–The Initial Blockade (2 min)
–A Passionate Message from GAZA to Creech! Delivered by Colleen, CODEPINK, Las Vegas
– PROSECUTE Col. Pederson 4 WAR CRIMES (1 min.)
–Speaking to the Police and Arrest (2 min)
–Are the Police Serving Us? (30 sec)
SOCIAL MEDIA: (Thousands viewed on TikTok & Instagram)
–A Passionate Message from GAZA! Delivered by Colleen, CODEPINK, Las Vegas
–Singing for the Children of GAZA!
MEDIA COVERAGE: (PR attached)
-Headlines and photos on Democracy Now HERE (at 9:28 min)
–KPFA Pacifica Radio Evening News, 5 min. story, HERE (at 8:30 min.)
(Featuring Diana Cabcabin)
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Nico Colombant and Kari Barber’s documentary, Battles Beyond the Horizon, highlighting our 15 years of our Anti-Drone work at Creech AFB, now available online HERE!
“War is a Lie” vigil
