John,
Tear gas is a chemical weapon banned in war.
Last October, as the Chinese government repeatedly violated the human rights of protesters in Hong Kong, Congress banned the sale of tear gas to China both to protect and stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters.
Yet just a few days ago, Donald Trump ordered federal law enforcement officials to fire tear gas into a crowd of peaceful protesters outside the White House. America watched peaceful demonstrators, including people in wheelchairs and young children, try to run away as heavily armed police wearing gas masks fired round after round of this chemical weapon at American citizens.
It's a scene not limited to Washington, DC or the peaceful protest outside the White House.
Law enforcement officers across the country are using tear gas to dispel peaceful protesters and attack American citizens. Congress needs to take immediate action to ban the use of tear gas in the United States and reign in out-of-control police and law enforcement.
If you agree, please add your name to my joint petition with DFA today. We need to put public pressure on Congress to immediately ban the use of tear gas in the United States.
American citizens across the country are rightfully raising their voices and putting their bodies on the line to protest unjust violence against Black people at the hands of our government.
Our government’s response has been to attack American citizens with a chemical weapon banned in war.
If it's unacceptable to use tear gas in war, how can we even consider letting our government use it on our own people, especially targeting peacefully protesting families?
We cannot allow this abuse of power by our government to go unchecked. Tear gas should never be allowed on the streets of our country.
Please add your name to my joint petition with DFA and demand Congress ban the use of tear gas in the United States now >>
Thank you for taking action and continuing to speak up for change.
Robert Reich
Former Secretary of Labor
Co-founder, Inequality Media
