The second Annual Love in Action Rally, hosted by the Harassment and Assault Reporting Platform (H.A.R.P) in coordination with the Harrisburg Abolition Table (HAT) and the Dauphin County Bail Fund (DCBF) saw a Great turnout of over 60 people this past Juneteenth Monday, as folks gathered to show their support for a timely cause. Speakers included Councilwoman Shamaine Daniels, Rev. Dr. Larry Pickens, who currently serves as the Executives Director of the PA Council of Churches, and Jae Whitlow, among several directly impacted folks within the community who have either survived Dauphin County Prison (DCP), or have loved ones currently incarcerated in that facility.
The event was well attended by folks of various lived experiences as well as several advocacy organizations inclusive of the Prison Society, Pa Council of Churches, Disabled American Veterans, DCP Community Advisory Board, and FCNL. We would also like honour our elders in the community who showed up to support this cause.
On the contrary, what was immensely concerning was the modern day intimidation tactics displayed by DCP personnel who had a drone buzzing above the crowd for the duration of the rally. This move left people wondering if this action was duly warranted? This intrusion of people’s civil liberties to peacefully gather for such a mobilization should not be taken lightly. In the past, police/law enforcement would use physical intimidation tactics such as dogs, fire hoses or kettling maneuvers, but as we have seen, the methods are evolving with the modernization of technology. Drones are often used to run facial recognition software without consent from the unsuspecting public. Studies have proven the coded bias in-built in such technologies; an unintended outcome of the inherent biases in the designers/coders of these systems. This intrusion of privacy and the coercion through assumed implicit consent to biometric data collection in public spaces can be seen as a deterrent to public organizing efforts; particular to those who may fear retaliation from the authorities.
In all honesty, the drone surveillance by DCP got me questioning:
- What was the justification for such action by DCP personnel?
- What data was collected via the drone activity?
- For what purpose will that collected data be used for ?
- What is the current policy regarding drone usage by DCP in general, as well as in relation to community demonstration held on the premises?
- If DCP can find the resources to secure such surveillance technology and train a drone operator, why can’t they direct the same effort to ensure clear audio connections for their virtual participants at the monthly Board of Inspectors meeting? Please note as of the June 14th meeting (which had over 25 virtual attendees) it was announced that the virtual participation option will likely be terminated due to the poor audio issues.
When all is said and done, informed enthusiastic consent matters. We must stay vigilant in speaking truth to power and calling for real accountability whenever/wherever we see INJUSTICE prevail.
#LetsHARPaboutIt #DauphinCountyBailFund #HarrisburgAbolitionTable
