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A protester landed a one-man gyrocopter on the Capitol lawn in Washington D.C. to deliver letters to Congress urging real campaign finance reform:
A 61-year-old Florida mailman was arrested Wednesday after he landed a gyrocopter on the US Capitol west lawn. The gyrocopter was carrying the pilot and 535 stamped letters for members of Congress urging "real reform" to campaign finance laws.
Doug Hughes told the Tampa Bay Times ahead of the afternoon stunt that he notified authorities "well over an hour in advance of getting to the no-fly zone, so they know who I am and what I'm doing."
Bloomberg has this analysis of the aftermath, and Tampa Bay Times has video of the incident from multiple angles. Hughes live streamed his flight on a blog entitled The Democracy Club. Ben Montgomery, a reporter from the Tampa Bay Times, knew about the planned flight for months and traveled to D.C. to witness it, but only informed the Capitol Police and Secret Service after Hughes was in the air. Hughes contacted Montgomery after Secret Service questioned him in 2014. The FAA is investigating the incident.
How long before copycats start doing the same at the personal addresses of Congressmen, Supreme Court Justices, and others?
Update: Doug Hughes has been charged with knowingly operating an unregistered aircraft (a felony punishable by up to three years in prison) and violating national defense airspace (punishable by up to one year in prison).
Hughes was released after the hearing, on condition that he observe home detention until his next court date in the capital city, on 8 May.
He was ordered to surrender his passport and banned from flying any aircraft, and must report to the authorities once a week. He was also charged with operating an unregistered aircraft.
(Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 17 2015, @01:54AM
When I first heard about what this guy did it made me really happy. With all the 9/11 bullshit over-reaction there are still people willing to stand up and do something attention grabbing to make a political statement. And nobody shot him. He knew the risks, if you read the tampa bay times coverage the guy had really thought it through, but one thing that really stood out is that the is not a self-righteous dick. I think his understanding of the problems is a little superficial and he's kooky, but kooky in a great way.
Frankly I don't care if there are copycats. Actually I think we could use more people like him. The fact that the only terrorists the FBI can find are the ones they cultivate, equip and plan-out their non-attacks says to me we have more to worry about people not following this guy's footsteps than we do of anyone actually dangerous.
Also the USPS logo on the tail of the gyrocopter was awesome. Just fucking awesome. They should put this guy on a stamp.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Friday April 17 2015, @01:58AM
We are mothers and fathers. And sons and daughters. Who every day go about our lives with duty, honor and pride. And neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor the winds of change, nor a nation challenged, will stay us from the swift completion of our appointed rounds. Ever.
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(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday April 17 2015, @02:03AM
Helps that he was white.
(Score: 2) by Yog-Yogguth on Friday April 17 2015, @05:10AM
And old.
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(Score: 3, Interesting) by anubi on Friday April 17 2015, @03:44AM
Excellent suggestion!!! USPS, did you see this?
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Friday April 17 2015, @10:18AM
I would like that postage stamp too!