What does accountability look like?
A common trope surrounding US policing is that forces sacrifice life and limb to uphold society. Questioning the narrative via criminal charges creates backlash.
Garza faces an uphill battle.
Since the 1970 Kent State shooting, public opinion has assumed protesters should expect violence from law enforcement.
But incidents like these have a chilling effect on public dissent.
"My right to speak is totally broken," says Tyree Talley. "It's been seized."
Over the past 50 years of less-lethal weapon usage, it's still unclear if it's the policing tool or the person wielding it that's the biggest danger. And little consensus has formed around balancing the right to #protest with the need to maintain #PublicSafety.
What is clear is how crucial it is for police and protesters alike to understand that “less-lethal” can still be deadly.
Kinetic-impact projectiles have caused serious harm and death.
Don’t look away—victims have built a powerful case against the misuse of these weapons.
https://rubberbullets.longlead.com/chapter/austin-police-indicted-2020-protests
Austin, Texas police officers fired 700 bean-bag rounds during social justice protests on May 30 and 31, 2020. A grand jury has indicted 21 of them on criminal assault charges, triggering a showdown between law enforcement and the law.
Long Lead