Tell Governor Polis to Ban the Use of Chemical Agents Against Protestors
Tell Governor Polis to Ban the Use of Chemical Agents Against Protestors
The Issue
The Problem
Numerous law enforcement departments across the state have used tear gas against citizens during the nationwide protests [1] [2]. This is especially dangerous during the COVID-19 pandemic as tear gas is a respiratory irritant [3].
Who does it affect?
A 2014 U.S. Army study shows that exposure to tear gas leads to a 2.5 times greater chance of being diagnosed with an Acute respiratory illness (ARI) [4]. Development of one of these illnesses may place individuals at higher risk of complications should they contract the virus, especially for those with asthma and other lung conditions [5]. That means that the use of tear gas is directly increasing the risk of COVID-19 complications among American citizens.
Even those not engaged in protesting are impacted by the use of tear gas. Tear gas can enter nearby buildings and "seep into...furniture, mattresses, clothing, carpet and even hardwood floors, and continue to irritate the mucous membranes of anyone residing in or visiting the property long after the incident" [6]. Deploying these chemicals into the air is harming residents as well as local businesses.
Additional Concerns
The increased risk of developing ARIs and COVID-19 complications among the population could result in a myriad of consequences including:
- overwhelming the local healthcare systems,
- increasing medical costs,
- spiking emergency response calls and associated costs,
- risking additional exposures for healthcare workers and first responders
Federal Court Ban in Denver
A U.S. District Court Judge has banned the use of all chemical weapons against peaceful protestors [7]. This restraining order is temporary and applies only to the Denver Police Department. It needs to be expanded to protect every person in the state of Colorado and enacted into law as a permanent protection.
What are we asking for?
We are requesting that Governor Jared Polis expand the ban for use of respiratory irritants such as tear gas, smoke, and any other chemical agents by law enforcement agencies to cover all of Colorado.
The Issue
The Problem
Numerous law enforcement departments across the state have used tear gas against citizens during the nationwide protests [1] [2]. This is especially dangerous during the COVID-19 pandemic as tear gas is a respiratory irritant [3].
Who does it affect?
A 2014 U.S. Army study shows that exposure to tear gas leads to a 2.5 times greater chance of being diagnosed with an Acute respiratory illness (ARI) [4]. Development of one of these illnesses may place individuals at higher risk of complications should they contract the virus, especially for those with asthma and other lung conditions [5]. That means that the use of tear gas is directly increasing the risk of COVID-19 complications among American citizens.
Even those not engaged in protesting are impacted by the use of tear gas. Tear gas can enter nearby buildings and "seep into...furniture, mattresses, clothing, carpet and even hardwood floors, and continue to irritate the mucous membranes of anyone residing in or visiting the property long after the incident" [6]. Deploying these chemicals into the air is harming residents as well as local businesses.
Additional Concerns
The increased risk of developing ARIs and COVID-19 complications among the population could result in a myriad of consequences including:
- overwhelming the local healthcare systems,
- increasing medical costs,
- spiking emergency response calls and associated costs,
- risking additional exposures for healthcare workers and first responders
Federal Court Ban in Denver
A U.S. District Court Judge has banned the use of all chemical weapons against peaceful protestors [7]. This restraining order is temporary and applies only to the Denver Police Department. It needs to be expanded to protect every person in the state of Colorado and enacted into law as a permanent protection.
What are we asking for?
We are requesting that Governor Jared Polis expand the ban for use of respiratory irritants such as tear gas, smoke, and any other chemical agents by law enforcement agencies to cover all of Colorado.
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Petition created on June 6, 2020