The townsfolk in Sarnia, Canada aren’t too pleased with a new surveillance video balloon patrolling over the international border at Port Huron, Michigan. To show their discontent, locals will be aiming their bare backsides at the million-dollar-camera during their “Moon the Balloon” protest scheduled for August 15th.
The surveillance balloon is owned by U.S. based Sierra Nevada Corporation and operated by another U.S. company, True North Logistics. The two companies are reportedly trying to catch the eye of U.S. Homeland security with their aerial surveillance technology, but the program is receiving privacy complains from across the border in Canada.
“There was absolutely no consultation with the local community and I am not aware if there has been at the national level about this particular initiative,” said Mike Bradley, the Mayor of Sarnia.
The U.S. border patrol has been contacted, but since the program is being conducted legally by a private firm, there is little the agency can do. In fact, the U.S. border patrol has their own plans to monitor the area – soon, $30 million will be spent in the area to build 11 towers equipped with high-tech cameras.
Around 200 people are expected to show up to the mass mooning protest – a protest that is expected to be as ineffective as it is ridiculous.
Fri, Aug 7, 2009
Video Surveillance