Police officers in Portland, USA, are no longer allowed to use tear gas to disperse crowds. Mayor Ted Wheeler has decided.
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The decision takes effect immediately. In Portland – as in many other major American cities – there are protests against police brutality and racism. A white man was shot. “In the last 100 days, agents have reverted to tear gas when their lives were in danger,” said Democratic Mayor Wheeler. “We need something else, now.”
Wheeler had previously been critical of the use of tear gas, but had never banned it. At the end of July, he himself was in a group of people who were thrown tear gas. “I’m not going to lie: it’s hard to breathe.” He already thought it was enough and thought it only made the protesters more aggressive.
“I urge everyone to nip the violence in the bud,” said Wheeler. ‘I start. It is time for others to participate. ‘ He also mentioned that arson, vandalism and violence “are not going to change society,” and that he expects police to arrest people who engage in such behavior.
Mayor Wheeler has spoken out against US President Donald Trump in the past. Trump had called him weak and pathetic, but Wheeler bounced the ball back: ‘Your campaign has brought hatred and vitriol into our beautiful country.’
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