Minneapolis City Council rejects drones-as-first-responder pilot, citing ties to Israel, ICE

The Minneapolis City Council voted 6-6 to reject a no-cost 75-day drones-as-first-responder pilot with Skydio, Inc. Council Vice President Jamal Osman, a co-sponsor, cast the deciding no vote after learning Skydio supplies equipment to the Israeli military and assists the Department of Homeland Security on immigration enforcement and surveillance. The pilot would have stationed drones at Minneapolis Fire Station 14 to stream video to 911 dispatchers and police officers. Osman said Skydio works with ICE, which he said terrorized his community, and with a genocidal military government. Supporters said the drones could improve public safety.