Police use CS spray on tax protesters

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Tax avoidance protesters needed hospital treatment today after police used CS spray to break up a demonstration on Oxford Street in central London.

Hundreds of people staged peaceful sit-ins at high street stores around the country as part of the latest UK Uncut day of action, designed to highlight companies it says are avoiding millions of pounds in tax.

In London protesters had successfully closed down Boots in Oxford Street – one of the companies campaigners accuse of tax avoidance – when police tried to arrest a woman for pushing a leaflet through the store's doors. Other demonstrators tried to stop the arrest and at least one police officer used CS spray, which hospitalised three people.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/30/police-cs-spray-tax-protesters

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When I read the headline I immediately thought: "British Tea Party". But I was wrong...these protesters are actually criticizing companies for evading taxes.

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[Hydra]

2. I love how they beat people up and use pepper spray on them

When they demand economic fairness.

[ananda]

3. What is CS spray?

??

[Angry Dragon]

4. Had to look it up

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CS_gas

[Ilsa]

5. Here is the paragraph from Wiki:

2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (also called o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) (chemical formula: C10H5ClN2) is the defining component of a "tear gas" commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent. "CS gas" is actually an aerosol of a volatile solvent (a substance that dissolves other substances and that easily evaporates) and 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, which is a solid compound at room temperature. CS gas is generally accepted as being non-lethal. It was discovered by two Americans, Ben Corson and Roger Stoughton, at Middlebury College in 1928, and the chemical's name is derived from the first letters of the scientists' surnames.<4>

Snip

Many types of tear gas and other riot control agents have been produced with effects ranging from mild tearing of the eyes to immediate vomiting and prostration. CN and CS are the most widely used and known, but around 15 different types of tear gas have been developed worldwide e.g. adamsite or bromoacetone, CNB, and CNC. CS has become the most popular due to its strong effect and lack of toxicity in comparison with other similar chemical agents. The effect of CS on a person will depend on whether it is packaged as a solution or used as an aerosol. The size of solution droplets and the size of the CS particulates after evaporation are factors determining its effect on the human body.<8>

The chemical reacts with moisture on the skin and in the eyes, causing a burning sensation and the immediate forceful and uncontrollable shutting of the eyes. Effects usually include tears streaming from the eyes, coughing, running nose full of mucus, burning in the nose and throat areas, disorientation, dizziness and restricted breathing. It will also burn the skin where sweaty and or sunburned. In highly concentrated doses it can also induce severe coughing and vomiting. Almost all of the immediate effects wear off in a matter of minutes.

[Ilsa]

6. Here is the paragraph from Wiki:

2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (also called o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) (chemical formula: C10H5ClN2) is the defining component of a "tear gas" commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent. "CS gas" is actually an aerosol of a volatile solvent (a substance that dissolves other substances and that easily evaporates) and 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, which is a solid compound at room temperature. CS gas is generally accepted as being non-lethal. It was discovered by two Americans, Ben Corson and Roger Stoughton, at Middlebury College in 1928, and the chemical's name is derived from the first letters of the scientists' surnames.<4>

Snip

Many types of tear gas and other riot control agents have been produced with effects ranging from mild tearing of the eyes to immediate vomiting and prostration. CN and CS are the most widely used and known, but around 15 different types of tear gas have been developed worldwide e.g. adamsite or bromoacetone, CNB, and CNC. CS has become the most popular due to its strong effect and lack of toxicity in comparison with other similar chemical agents. The effect of CS on a person will depend on whether it is packaged as a solution or used as an aerosol. The size of solution droplets and the size of the CS particulates after evaporation are factors determining its effect on the human body.<8>

The chemical reacts with moisture on the skin and in the eyes, causing a burning sensation and the immediate forceful and uncontrollable shutting of the eyes. Effects usually include tears streaming from the eyes, coughing, running nose full of mucus, burning in the nose and throat areas, disorientation, dizziness and restricted breathing. It will also burn the skin where sweaty and or sunburned. In highly concentrated doses it can also induce severe coughing and vomiting. Almost all of the immediate effects wear off in a matter of minutes.

[DissedByBush]

16. Imagine not being able to see and

Having one big snot running from your nose to the ground.

[sulphurdunn]

7. CS is very nasty stuff.

In gas form it burns your eyes and causes you to cough and to retch. Unlike tear gas you can't cover you mouth with a hanky and tough it out. The only thing you can do is run from it.

[TheMightyFavog]

17. This is what it does...

Not for the faint of heart...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLDhDvH_Ukw

[Kievan Rus]

8. Silly progressives...tax laws are for commoners

The rich can do whatever they want. :sarcasm:

[FreakinDJ]

9. +1000000

[chowhound]

10. they're just asking for a step up in violence

if they start spraying gas on people. how long before someone starts shooting. i know their gun laws are more strict but guns are available.

[tkmorris]

11. I don't think so

The protesters could be violent if they chose, they vehemently don't. I expect if anything their numbers will increase.

[daleo]

12. Egypt...Britain

People seem to be tiring of governments that think first of the rich and powerful.

[provis99]

13. more police "kesselschlacht" tactics, I see.

[saras]

14. Information on hazards is sparse and contradictory

http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/library/documents/reports/report-TearGasHarrassingAgent.pdf

One point raised repeatedly in this report is that often the studies just aren't done, which means, of course, that they can cite "there are no negative effects reported in the scientific literature".

[muriel_volestrangler]

15. And that's for trying to stop what sounds like a bogus arrest

The woman was trying to push a leaflet through a door, for crying out loud. The British police are still out of control.

[muriel_volestrangler]

18. The Guardian has video footage of it being used

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/31/video-police-cs-spray-protesters

There's no reason to use it, as far as I can tell. He sprays it from close range (because him arm is at full stretch, not because the victims are particularly close to him) at 2 people who don't seem to be doing anything, apart from probably chanting (as most of the crowd is).