This weekend, December 13 and 14, residents of Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, Chicago, Washington, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Denver, Fort Worth and more than 60 cities around the world will take part in the global protest STOP HUMAN SAFARI / SAVE KHERSON. The purpose of such a large-scale event is to draw attention to the shocking war crime recorded in Ukraine - the use of drones against civilians.
This was reported by the organizing platform HumanSafari.org.
“Rise up. Speak out. Because your voice matters. STOP HUMAN SAFARI. SAVE KHERSON. People are not targets!”, the announcement says.
As reported, since the summer of 2024, the Russian military has been systematically using small commercial drones to harass, terrorize, and kill civilians in Kherson. The drones prey on people going to work, school, or the store. The victims include children, the elderly, and civilians without any military status.
In particular, it is specified that this tactic – the so-called “human safari” – has been documented by the UN and Human Rights Watch and recognized as a war crime and a crime against humanity. This is the first recorded case of the use of civilian drones to deliberately track and kill people at close range.
“This is not just a crisis in Ukraine – it is a global warning. Commercial drones, created for photography, agriculture, or rescue operations, are turning into weapons that can be used anywhere and by anyone,” the organizers emphasize.
According to the initiators of the campaign, the events in Kherson demonstrate how easily this form of war can be scaled up in the world. Of particular concern are reports of drone violations of airspace in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and other European countries.
Within the framework of the global campaign, participants will put forward such demands as an immediate cessation of drone attacks on civilians; holding those responsible to international responsibility; increasing support for Ukraine, in particular with air defense systems and the protection of the civilian population. As well as the creation and strengthening of international legal mechanisms that will make it impossible to use drones against civilians.
Also, participants in the campaigns in different countries will demand the return of all Ukrainian prisoners of war, emphasizing that “the only real holiday is when prisoners return home”. During the campaign, participants plan to light candles in memory.
In addition, as part of the information campaign, screenings of the documentary film “Kherson: Human Safari” are also taking place in some cities.
On December 14 at 3:30 PM in Los Angeles, California, in front of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Volodymyr (4051 Melrose Ave), activists, the Ukrainian community, and concerned citizens will call on the international community to stop the use of drones for terror against civilians. In San Diego, California, the action will take place earlier that day at 2:00 PM near the El Cid statue in Balboa Park.
Other US cities joining the global protest include:
- Seattle, Washington – December 13, 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM, 1005 E Union St,
- Dallas, Texas – December 13, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, near Dallas City Hall Plaza,
- New York, NY – December 14, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Times Square) and again at 4:00 PM (Times Square),
- Chicago, Illinois – December 14, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, near the Wrigley Building (410 N. Michigan Ave),
- Washington D.C. – December 14, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., location – White House,
- San Francisco – December 14 at 2:00 p.m. near Ferry Plaza, Embarcadero,
- Denver, Colorado – December 14 at 12:00 p.m. near Colorado State Capitol Building, West Stairs,
- Fort Worth, Texas – December 14, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Tarrant County Courthouse,
- Houghton, Michigan – December 14 at 3:00 p.m. near TBC (exact location TBD).
Author: Inna Mikhno