The Dangerous Truth About the ‘Nonlethal’ Weapons Used Against LA Protesters
1 min read
Summary
At least 56 people were arrested in Los Angeles during protests against ICE raids, with police and the National Guard using weapons deemed “non-lethal” to disperse the protestors.
RTC records show that ICE made over 2,000 arrests in just two days at the start of June, marking a significant increase compared to the average of 660 during Donald Trump’s second term.
The use of the National Guard to police the protests has been criticised by California governor Gavin Newsom and civil society groups, with Amnesty International stating that the organisation views the militarised response as being aimed at suppressing the protests rather than protecting communities.
Some of the weapons used by the Los Angeles police force include the Defense Technology 40mm Single-Shot Launcher and long- and short-range 40-mm calibre gas projectiles.
Such weapons are prohibited in Canada due to the potential danger they pose and their abusive use against peaceful civilians, sometimes resulting in serious injury.
