Oregon Judge Limits Federal Use of Tear Gas at ICE Protests

(MENAFN) A federal judge in Oregon has imposed temporary limits on the use of tear gas and other chemical or projectile crowd-control weapons by federal officers during demonstrations near a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, according to reports.

US District Judge Michael Simon issued a 14-day temporary restraining order on Tuesday, following recent incidents in which federal agents deployed tear gas against demonstrators.

Local authorities said those gatherings were peaceful and included families with young children, as stated by reports.

Under the ruling, federal officers are prohibited from using chemical agents or projectile munitions unless a specific individual presents an “imminent threat of physical harm.” The order further bars officers from aiming such munitions at a person’s head, neck, or torso unless the situation legally justifies the use of deadly force.

In his written decision, Simon said the nation “is now at a crossroads,” underscoring the judiciary’s responsibility to protect constitutional freedoms.

“In a well-functioning constitutional democratic republic, free speech, courageous newsgathering, and nonviolent protest are all permitted, respected, and even celebrated,” he said.

The restrictions apply to a broad array of crowd-control tools, including tear gas, pepper spray, pepper balls, kinetic impact projectiles, flashbang grenades, and so-called less-lethal launchers.

The ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought by a civil liberties organization on behalf of protesters and independent journalists who said their rights had been violated during the demonstrations.

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