system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
[Star Wars] Why was Dantooine to far to make an effective demonstration for the firepower of the first Death Star?

I mean if Leia was telling the truth ( the Empire didn't know at that time she wasn't ) that's where the rebels were, why not head out there and attack it, instead of a planet with NO rebel activity and NO beef with the Empire.
gpt
The Empire wanted to destroy a populated and politically important planet, for maximum fear and obedience from the star systems that were planning to join the Rebellion.

It was also Leia's homeworld, to make the message even more clear: "Join the Rebels, and we'll crush your friends and family even if they are innocent."