Killer Robots: Protesters Rally Outside of San Francisco City Hall Against a Proposed Policy That Would Allow Police Robots To Use Deadly Force in San Francisco, CA

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday sent a controversial plan to allow police robots to use deadly force back to committee after public backlash. The board previously approved the plan, which allowed police robots to use lethal force, by a vote of 8–3. San Francisco Police indicated they intended to arm the robots with explosive devices, per reports. A so-called Rally Against Killer Robots was held at City Hall Monday to protest the plan. Opponents argued the plan would further militarize the police and increase the use of deadly force without due process. Photos shared by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California show crowds gathered at the rally, with some holding a banner that reads, “We all saw that movie… No Killer Robots.” San Francisco Police are currently barred from arming robots with deadly force until the policy can come to another vote. Unlike the initial vote, the upcoming committee hearing on the policy will be open to public comment, according to the ACLU.