this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2025
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I'm violating my own rules here, but the media are not keeping up with developments, so I'm having to wing it.

Helicopter 1

Helicopter 2

These are chemical containers being unloaded from both helicopters. The commenters on Reddit are far more qualified than I am to extrapolate, but at the base level, the government flying them into the middle of a city is ... troubling.

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[–] Bebopalouie@lemmy.ca 24 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I have noticed in the past couple of weeks a lot of stuff is not showing up on Reddit or it’s showing up and being deleted within the first 5 to 10 minutes. Reddit is becoming totally compromised.

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 18 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Funny what an IPO will do. It's nonetheless frustrating that finding news is getting more and more difficult.

[–] Quexotic@beehaw.org 5 points 4 days ago

Also dangerous.

[–] jarfil@beehaw.org 11 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Let's not forget this handy list:

  1. Peace, Rule of Law
  2. Disaster Area
  3. State of Emergency — USA is here
  4. Martial Law
[–] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

It's illegal to declare Martial law, right?

[–] jarfil@beehaw.org 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

In the United States:

Article 1, Section 9 of the US Constitution states, "The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it."

On a national level, both the US President and the US Congress have the power

martial law has been imposed at least 68 times in limited, usually local areas of the United States

Right now, the US border is under "invasion by undocumented alien criminals", and there is a mounting "rebellion in Los Angeles".

Honestly, I'm kind of surprised they've been waiting so long, the "invasion" Executive Order 14159 has been in force since Jan 20, 2025... but I guess they first needed to make sure to dismantle any internal opposition, put key people in key places, and so on.

[–] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 1 points 4 days ago (2 children)

So you're saying we have to amend the constitution to prevent these criminals from violating our rights?

What does international law say? Surely it's a crime against humanity to issue martial law or curfews?

[–] jarfil@beehaw.org 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Martial law, curfews, IDs, "papers", etc. are intended to protect a nation's citizens against enemy units... in times of war. The problem comes when someone is allowed to re-classify "some residents" as "enemies"... then you get a civil war.

International law is a bunch of agreements for peace time, for countries to enforce onto their own citizens. Trying to enforce any law against the will of a country, is an act of war. Most countries, don't want to go to war, they'd rather look for loopholes like sanctions, that don't require invading a country and spanking its leaders.

What you need, is to recognize the early signs of deranged leaders, and prevent them from gaining power. That moment has passed in the US, now it's in the hands of people with power (money, guns, cult leaders) to decide whether to go into a civil war or not.

You may try talking to them, but whether they're willing to listen is a separate question.

[–] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (2 children)

International law covers crimes against humanity. It includes laws protecting citizens from their governments, during peace time

My point is that curfews and martial law don't protect people. Its how governments opress people. A crime against their population

We need that clearly listed in national and international laws. So that if any politician calls for curfews or martial law, they know that's a direct ticket to a looong prison sentence

[–] jarfil@beehaw.org 2 points 3 days ago

A law, to be law, needs to be enforceable, otherwise it's just a suggestion. International law is only enforceable through voluntary compliance, coercion, or war. Yes, during peace time many countries pick the voluntary way, others need coercion... and some ignore everything.

Curfews and martial law, are war-time measures. Check how they work in countries openly at war. If you get them in a country "at peace"... well, I have bad news, but it isn't really at peace.

When you get a government fighting its own population, that isn't simply oppression, that's civil war.

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 2 points 3 days ago

And look how much of a shit the U.S. has historically given about these norms. What about Cambodia followed the Geneva Conventions?

It's always been an oppressive system here, but we just shifted up a gear by adding the NG.

[–] Vodulas@beehaw.org 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

AFAIK, there is no international law against declaring martial law. Even if it were the case, this administration has shown they do not give even 1/4 of a shit about the constitution or law.

[–] jagged_circle@feddit.nl 3 points 4 days ago

Damn, humans are an immature species :(

[–] cronenthal@discuss.tchncs.de 15 points 4 days ago

I guess we all knew it would come to violence eventually. The US are on the precipice.

[–] t3rmit3@beehaw.org 11 points 4 days ago (1 children)

These definitely look like tubs of chemical agents given the hazmat labels, rather than ammunition as the news was suggesting. A tub of ammunition the sizes in the first video would also be too heavy to carry like they are (if full). I think the comments positing that the cardboard boxes are gas masks are probably spot on.

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 11 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Airdropping hazmat in the middle of protests has a strong whiff of "we're likely going to find out what was in those containers soon enough."

[–] Geodad@beehaw.org 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I can't see the Reddit posts, but as an Army veteran - my money is on them using CS gas. The stuff really sucks, and can incapacitate you if you're not ready to counter it.

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 3 points 3 days ago

Apologies for the Reddit links; they were embeds, so I had no other option.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

The commenters on Reddit are far more qualified than I am to extrapolate

Let's be real here: You are literally just as qualified unless you aren't actually a human being.

[–] Powderhorn@beehaw.org 2 points 3 days ago

I'm qualified but lack extant knowledge. I defer when I don't know shit.

[–] Megaman_EXE@beehaw.org 7 points 4 days ago

Thank you for sharing this. I didn't catch wind about what was happening until last night.

I hope that whatever terrible event unfolds, sparks the fire that is needed for people to stand up for their rights. I don't want people to get hurt, but at some point you have to defend yourself against a bully

[–] Geodad@beehaw.org 1 points 3 days ago

Can we not link to Reddit? I get a page that says I'm being blocked and need to log in, which I can't do because they banned me about 4 years ago for promoting punching Nazis.