South Bay Congresswoman Anna Eshoo has led several other House members in demanding that federal agencies immediately stop using aerial drones to monitor protesters.
Rep. Eshoo said she and other colleagues have written to the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and The U.S. National Guard to demand the agencies stop surveilling people protesting the killing of George Floyd by police.
“Federal agencies were flying unmanned and manned aircraft with equipment to conduct surveillance through their video cameras, and by tracking cell phones,” Rep. Eshoo said.
She told KCBS Radio that the monitoring violates both the First and Fourth Amendments, and emphasized Americans’ right to peacefully protest.
“We know that surveillance has its chilling effect on protests,” Rep. Eshoo said. “People fear retribution, like arrest or imprisonment or being fired from their jobs.”
The Congresswoman added that the agencies responded to her requests for information, but would not provide specific details.
KCBS reached out to the FBI for comment, but has not heard back.