From the ACLU -- What is the government hiding?
It seems unbelievable: through a joint operation between the CIA and the military, three U.S. citizens are killed by unmanned predator drones, far from any battlefield. None of them were charged with a crime, and no court reviewed the government's decision to kill its own citizens.
Yet, it's true.
In September last year, American citizens Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan were killed when unmanned drones operated by the CIA and the U.S. military fired missiles at the car in which they were traveling.1 Two weeks later, Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, a 16-year-old born in Colorado, was killed in a military drone strike.
Our government's killing of American citizens without charge or trial raises profound questions that ought to be the subject of public debate. That's why we filed a lawsuit yesterday to demand that the government release basic — and accurate — information about its targeted killing program.
Stand with us. Tell President Obama: We need transparency about the government's targeted killing program.
The Obama administration has released very little information about its targeted killing program. Its official position is that the program is a state secret — and some of the information it has released has been misleading. However, some officials, including President Obama, have spoken about the program. They have publicly claimed responsibility for killing al-Awlaki, and they have more generally defended the government's right to kill citizens after a secret non-judicial process.
Soon after the fall 2011 drone strikes, we submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the CIA, Department of Defense, and Department of Justice.2 Three months later, we have yet to receive a single document in response.
Tell President Obama: We need transparency about the government's targeted killing program.
The government's attitude toward transparency and disclosure is unacceptable. Officials cannot be allowed to release bits of information about the targeted killing program when they think it will bolster their position, but refuse even to confirm the existence of the program when organizations like the ACLU file FOIA requests in the service of real transparency and accountability.
We must demand government transparency. Stand with us. Urge the Obama administration to release greater information about this program.
The public has a right to know the legal basis for the targeted killing of U.S. citizens.
Sincerely,
Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director, ACLU
Yet, it's true.
In September last year, American citizens Anwar al-Awlaki and Samir Khan were killed when unmanned drones operated by the CIA and the U.S. military fired missiles at the car in which they were traveling.1 Two weeks later, Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, a 16-year-old born in Colorado, was killed in a military drone strike.
Our government's killing of American citizens without charge or trial raises profound questions that ought to be the subject of public debate. That's why we filed a lawsuit yesterday to demand that the government release basic — and accurate — information about its targeted killing program.
Stand with us. Tell President Obama: We need transparency about the government's targeted killing program.
The Obama administration has released very little information about its targeted killing program. Its official position is that the program is a state secret — and some of the information it has released has been misleading. However, some officials, including President Obama, have spoken about the program. They have publicly claimed responsibility for killing al-Awlaki, and they have more generally defended the government's right to kill citizens after a secret non-judicial process.
Soon after the fall 2011 drone strikes, we submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the CIA, Department of Defense, and Department of Justice.2 Three months later, we have yet to receive a single document in response.
Tell President Obama: We need transparency about the government's targeted killing program.
The government's attitude toward transparency and disclosure is unacceptable. Officials cannot be allowed to release bits of information about the targeted killing program when they think it will bolster their position, but refuse even to confirm the existence of the program when organizations like the ACLU file FOIA requests in the service of real transparency and accountability.
We must demand government transparency. Stand with us. Urge the Obama administration to release greater information about this program.
The public has a right to know the legal basis for the targeted killing of U.S. citizens.
Sincerely,
Anthony D. Romero
Executive Director, ACLU
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