This is all the riot gear that LA cops are using to break up anti-ICE protests
The city of Los Angeles is currently in a state of turmoil as anti-ICE protests continue to rage on for nearly a week. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has resorted to extreme measures to control the unrest, firing hundreds of rounds of less-lethal ammunition, deploying tear gas, and using flash bangs to disperse the crowds.
The protests, which have been sparked by Trump’s ‘mass deportation agenda,’ have led to over 200 arrests on Tuesday night alone after Mayor Karen Bass implemented a curfew in Los Angeles. The tension between demonstrators and police has reached a boiling point, reminiscent of the height of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.
Various riot control tools have been deployed by law enforcement across Los Angeles to quell the protests. Tear gas, also known as CS gas, has been used by both the LAPD and California Highway Patrol to scatter hostile crowds. Despite being banned for use in warfare under the Geneva Protocol, tear gas is commonly employed by police for riot control.
In addition to tear gas, impact rounds, also known as baton rounds, have been fired from specialized launchers or modified shotguns to subdue protestors. These less-lethal ammunition rounds can cause blunt force injuries and lacerations. The LAPD has opted for rubberized foam projectiles as a safer alternative to traditional rubber bullets, which have caused serious injuries in past protests.
Pepper balls, which burst on impact and release pepper spray for crowd control, have also been utilized by authorities in Los Angeles. These projectiles can cause a burning sensation on the skin, coughing, and eye irritation. They are fired from weapons that resemble paintball guns.
Batons made of wood, metal, or polycarbonate have been used by the LAPD and California Highway Patrol to physically strike demonstrators. These night sticks are one of the oldest tools in law enforcement for crowd control and making arrests.
Flash bangs, also known as stun grenades, have been deployed by both the military and police to disorient targets with a blinding flash and deafening boom. The aim of using flash bangs is to incapacitate individuals and create confusion in the midst of protests.
As the anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles continue to escalate, law enforcement agencies are resorting to a variety of riot control tools to maintain order and ensure public safety. The use of less-lethal ammunition, tear gas, flash bangs, pepper balls, batons, and impact rounds highlights the intensity of the situation and the challenges faced by authorities in managing the unrest.
