Do we want to be droned?

Public Notice

Mayor Shaundel Washington-Spivey and Common Council members have been invited to attend Skydio Experience Day drone demonstration at the La Crosse Police Department on August 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Notice is further given that members of other governmental bodies may be present at the above scheduled meeting to gather information about a subject over which they have decision-making responsibility.

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Per Drone XL, an industry magazine, "The Minneapolis City Council deadlocked 6-6 on Thursday, July 16, 2026, killing a no-cost, 75-day Drone as First Responder trial with Skydio and turning Minneapolis away from a program model at least five other Minnesota cities already run. Council Vice President Jamal Osman, a co-sponsor of the measure, switched sides and cast the deciding no vote, citing Skydio’s equipment sales to the Israeli military and its work with the Department of Homeland Security on immigration enforcement."

Middle East Monitor reported in November, "AI-powered surveillance drones used by the Israeli occupation forces to carry out genocide in Gaza are now being deployed across the United States to monitor protesters and civilians.

"Built by the US-based company Skydio, these autonomous drones were shipped to Israel in the early days of the onslaught on Gaza, where they were tested and refined in live combat conditions."

If you have an opinion on whether our city should begin or, really, even consider a relationship with Skydio, please email the Mayor and use this form to contact the council. 

Why are we even inviting them to anything in our city? What if a concentration camp company wanted to give a demonstration of their quick-build detention centers or the electric shock glove company wants to do a demonstration of their new "crowd control" technology? Where is the line?