Time for the first #realtalk thread of the night! Let's talk #lesslethalweapons. ~16 years ago these were often referred to as #nonlethal, before #victoriasnelgrove was shot in the eye and killed during celebrations after #redsox won game 7 in 2004. wbur.org/news/2014/10/2…
#lesslethalweapons have been around for a long time, but surprising as it may be, they weren't used first in the United States, but most notably in Northern Ireland to quell "nationalist riots" during #thetroubles bbc.com/news/uk-northe…
it wasn't until after the LA Riots in 1992 that #rubberbullets were more widely used in the US, quickly becoming common. So-called "knee-knockers" were used during 3 events in LA over the last half of 1992 latimes.com/archives/la-xp… #lesslethalweapons #pdxprotest #blacklivesmatter
We've heard @ChiefCLovell and others say that w/o #lesslethalweapons more individuals will be hurt, yet police often violate agency policy and training with these weapons, as we've seen regularly at #pdxprotests khn.org/news/rubber-bu…
Before I continue, let's break down what is at risk for those at #pdxprotest and elsewhere on the receiving end of #lesslethalweapons. Next I'll look at why it's so hard for protesters at #blacklivesmatter events and others to know what they might face. nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/0….
Last month the @washingtonpost put out an article summarizing the bevy of weapons being used at #blacklivesmatter protests in #pdx and across the country: washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/06…
while @AthertonKD summarized how they affect those on the receiving end: scientificamerican.com/article/what-l…
while @AthertonKD summarized how they affect those on the receiving end: scientificamerican.com/article/what-l…
Now let me remind you, none of this is news. In 2003, a year before #victoriasnelgrove was killed police in Florida implemented the #miamimodel which saw overwhelming force and extensive #lesslethalweapons, resulting in serious injury when reporter #CarlKessler was hit in the eye 
^#CarlKesser apologies. You can see the #MiamiModel documentary I helped make free online here: I think those involved with #blacklivesmatter will find it's just as relevant as it was 17 years ago. #pdxprotest
I've focused on impact and aerosol #lesslethalweapons bc in #pdx "conducted energy devices" #CEDs are not used. However they are perhaps even more controversial, as the DoJ reported in 2009 "over 334 people
have died after being subjected to a Taser" "oig.justice.gov/reports/plus/e…
have died after being subjected to a Taser" "oig.justice.gov/reports/plus/e…
On May 29th photojournalist @KillerMartinis lost an eye while covering the Minneapolis protests, and force continues to increase nationwide, but particularly in #pdx so I'll leave you with this article about protecting yourself from rubber bullets. popsci.com/story/health/r…
Be safe out there #pdxprotests and anywhere folks are demonstrating their first amendment rights in support of #BlackLivesMatter. Next time I'll detail some other techniques you can use if on the receiving end of so-called #lesslethalweapons, such as tear gas and pepper spray.
