A judge in Oregon on Tuesday temporarily restricted federal officers from using tear gas at protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, just days after agents launched gas at a crowd of demonstrators including young children that local officials described as peaceful.

U.S. District Judge Michael Simon ordered federal officers not to use chemical or projectile munitions on people who pose no imminent threat of physical harm, or who are merely trespassing or refusing to disperse. Simon also limited federal officers from firing munitions at the head, neck or torso “unless the officer is legally justified in using deadly force against that person.”

Simon, whose temporary restraining order is in effect for 14 days, wrote that the nation “is now at a crossroads.”

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[–] 54 points 9 months ago (7 children)

Cool, yes, but if there's only one thing we learned in the last year, the courts have no enforcement against the feds.

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  • [–] 2 points 9 months ago (2 children)

    They do, they just aren't using it.

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  • [–] 18 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    A reminder that using chemical weapons is literally a war crime. Our non-cosplay soldiers are banned from using chemical weapons on opposing forces, but ICE can flood American streets with it because someone wasn't standing where they wanted them to.

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  • [–] 13 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    Limit? Not immediately cease?

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  • [–] 7 points 9 months ago
    [–] 5 points 9 months ago

    The question that comes to mind is how soon will tear gas be used with the 'looked like a gun' excuse shortly thereafter.

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  • [–] 9 points 9 months ago*

    As if tear gas is the only gas they're using.

    I've seen white, orange, and green gases in various videos.

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago

    Why is it ever legal and ok to release noxious gases into public areas? Can anyone just do that?

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