An activist who was chased into a Ferguson neighborhood last night by police described witnessing a drone hovering overhead, though she could not confirm whether it was piloted by police, a member of the public or journalists.
Drone overhead. Truck drove away but they're still flashing a light
— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) August 19, 2014
“Drone overhead. Truck drove away but they’re still flashing a light,” Youtube blogger Netta posted, live tweeting as she laid “in someone’s backyard” hiding from police, and describing how tear gas smoke was so thick she couldn’t see.
The tweet immediately went viral, garnering more than 200 retweets in less than 20 minutes. Several Twitter users requested photos of the UAV, but none were provided. The activist, however, was certain it was a drone.
YES. They've been out since for sure, Monday. RT @RippleForward: @Nettaaaaaaaa @j03_2 Actual drones? Seriously?
— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) August 19, 2014
Shortly after midnight, police chased demonstrators into neighborhoods, where they indiscriminately through tear gas canisters into residential backyards and shot several people with rubber bullets.
They're telling for us to GET UP AND GO HOME, while they drive down the streets firing shots and rubber bullets #Ferguson
— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) August 19, 2014
They're saying "Go home" I literally have nowhere to go. I'm hiding. A @bellevillenewsd photog, other journo with me. #Ferguson
— Jacqueline Lee (@BNDJLee) August 19, 2014
Is this Baghdad?!? #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/h7JWOY2ds2
— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) August 19, 2014
Photo by @bdoulaoblongata. #Ferguson #STL #MikeBrown man couldn't breathe from tear gas pic.twitter.com/jEYfNqTHbd
— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) August 19, 2014
Earlier in the week, a drone was used by RT film crew Ruptly to survey the protests. They published a 90 second clip shot by their drone hovering over the iconic, burnt-down Quik Trip convenience store, which has largely been the focal point of protests.
#Ferguson drone flying over crowd at QuikTrip operator from Russia Today http://t.co/UA2DPZuCec they tell me pic.twitter.com/dbsC1YSx7A
— David Carson (@PDPJ) August 16, 2014
Prior to last night’s demonstrations, police had imposed a no-fly zone for low-flying aircraft over Ferguson, allegedly “to provide a safe environment for law enforcement activities,” however a specific restriction drone use was not mentioned.
Last year, St. Louis’ top cop Sam Dotson signaled his department would begin using the devices as early as this summer. Ferguson sits about 20 minutes northwest, on the outskirts of St. Louis.
“I think the technology is there now domestically for law enforcement agencies to rely on unmanned aerial observation platforms to do a variety of things,” Dotson said, indicating police would also use drones to track or follow suspicious vehicles.
Armored car is following civilian vehicle down Florissant. #Ferguson
— deray mckesson (@deray) August 19, 2014
FAA guidelines currently only restrict use of commercial drones, and prohibit hobbyists from flying them above 400 feet and near airports.
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