Anti-Drone Protests at the NY Air National Guard Base at Hancock Field

About 250 activists took part in an Anti-Drone Protest, outside the NY Air National Guard Base on East Malloy Road on Sunday April 28, 2013. The protest started in front of the Thompson Road entrance to the base. Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com

Another drone protestor, Jack Gilroy of Binghamton, has been convicted in DeWitt town court after a two-day jury trial.

Gilroy, 79, was convicted of obstructing governmental administration, a misdeameanor; and trespass, a violation; in connection with an April 28, 2013 protest at Hancock Air National Guard Base.

Gilroy will be sentenced by DeWitt Judge Robert Jokl in October. The sentence could be up to one year in jail and a fine of $1,000.

Gilroy is a member of Veterans for Peace and Peace Action New York.

At the trial, Gilroy testified that the boundaries of the base were unclear and unmarked at the time, according to Judy Bello of Upstate Drone Action. He said his intention was to send a message to base personnel and the public, not to disrupt the base's operation, she said.



Mary Anne Grady Flores was convicted of violating an order of protection by standing in the road in front of Hancock Base and sentenced on July 9 to one year in prison.

There are 11 trials scheduled for Hancock protesters in DeWitt through next July stemming from the April 2013 protest. The next one is scheduled to start July 30.

Upstate Drone Action has been protesting the drones at Hancock Base since 2009.