NonilexJan 17

#California #protester left blind in one eye is among string of #violent run-ins with #federal agents

A 21-year-old college student who was blinded in one eye by a projectile fired by a federal “officer” during a Southern California protest said he faces a drastically different life now.

#Trump #law #Constitution #RightToProtest #FirstAmendment #UseOfForce #PoliceBrutality #CivilRights #despotism #fascism #Tyranny #MafiaState #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #Sturmabteilung #RESIST
https://apnews.com/article/immigration-protesters-injured-eye-california-santa-ana-1fa27b64a1ff1015d8852927793de321

California protester blinded in one eye says his life will never be the same

A Southern California college student who says he was blinded in one eye by a projectile fired by a federal officer during a protest says he no longer has depth perception and lost the ability to drive. A second demonstrator told The Los Angeles Times he was also blinded in one eye by officers' fire at the Jan. 9 protest over the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security says authorities were responding to violent protesters. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the agency, said to the Times that Rummler's injury claims were “absurd.” The injuries in California are the latest in a growing number of violent encounters between federal agents and community members during protests over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

AP News
Show threadNonilexJan 17

Kaden Rummler said in an interview that he was in agonizing pain & underwent an extensive 6-hour surgery to his left eye after he was injured at a Jan 9 #protest over the fatal #shooting of #ReneeGood by an #ICE officer in #Minneapolis. Rummler said he has no depth perception & can no longer drive. Shards of metal & a nickel-sized piece of plastic remain lodged in his skull, his attorney said, & he is considering suing.

#Trump #law #RightToProtest #UseOfForce #PoliceBrutality #CivilRights

Show threadNonilexJan 17

“It’s going to affect every aspect of my life,” said Rummler, who hopes to pursue a career in forestry.

A second demonstrator at the same #protest outside a #federal #immigration building in Orange County told the LA Times he was also blinded in one eye by a projectile fired by federal agents. Britain Rodriguez, 31, said he was standing on steps outside the building when he was struck in the face.

“I remember hitting the ground & feeling like my eye exploded in my head,” Rodriguez said.

#law

Show threadNonilexJan 17

…Rummler’s atty John Washington said doctors want to know whether the materials in the projectile could be toxic but have been unable to get answers from #DHS. Washington said based on their preliminary investigation they believe it was a capsule made from metal & plastic containing pepper spray.

The injuries in California are the latest in a growing number of #violent encounters between #federal agents & community members during #protests over the #Trump admin’s #immigration crackdown.

#law

Show threadNonilexJan 17

Federal #immigration agents deployed to #Minneapolis have used aggressive crowd-control tactics that have become a dominant concern after the deadly #shooting of #ReneeGood.

In Santa Ana, #California, hundreds of people marched in the streets on Jan 9 to #protest Good’s killing. A smaller group later congregated outside the federal immigration building, shouting expletives through megaphones about #ICE, acc/to video taken by OC Hawk, a group that films breaking news in Orange County.

#law

Show threadNonilexJan 17

The video shows a handful of officers in riot gear standing guard & urging demonstrators to move back. An orange cone is later seen rolling onto a plaza outside the building, & authorities begin firing crowd-control projectiles as they walk toward the crowd.

#Trump #law #Constitution #RightToProtest #FirstAmendment #ExcessiveForce #UseOfForce #PoliceBrutality #CivilRights #despotism #fascism #Tyranny #MafiaState #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #Sturmabteilung #RESIST
https://apnews.com/article/santa-ana-protester-injured-eye-immigration-87452ab26910d79dd5164d06c16b5c26

Demonstrator injured by projectile at Southern California protest

A demonstrator was hit in the face with a projectile fired by a federal officer at close range during a protest in Southern California. The protester was bloodied and with serious injuries, according to video and fellow protesters during a Tuesday news conference. The incident occurred during a Friday protest in Santa Ana over the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis by a federal agent. Video shows the officer firing at the demonstrator, who grabbed his face and fell to the ground. In a statement read aloud by a friend, the demonstrator said he lost vision in one eye. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin says two officers were injured.

AP News
Show threadNonilex

In the video, an officer is seen grabbing a protester by the arm & Rummler & a few others are seen stepping forward shouting in response. An officer then fires a crowd-control weapon, striking Rummler from feet away. Rummler grabs his face & falls to the ground, & an officer grabs him by the shirt & drags him backward across the ground toward the building. Later, video appears to show him face down on the ground being handcuffed.

#Trump #law #RightToProtest #UseOfForce #PoliceBrutality

Jan 17 at 4:40amWeb
Show threadNonilexJan 17

Washington, a #CivilRights lawyer, said his client could have been killed.

“Any officers with just the most basic training would know you don’t shoot someone ever in the face with this, but let alone at point-blank range, & that’s because it is a lethal weapon when used like that, & it very nearly was,” Washington said.

#Trump #law #Constitution #RightToProtest #FirstAmendment #ExcessiveForce #UseOfForce #PoliceBrutality #fascism #Tyranny #MafiaState #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #Sturmabteilung #RESIST

Show threadNonilexJan 17

Geoffrey Alpert, a professor of criminology & criminal justice at University of South Carolina, said a thorough investigation is needed into the reason for using a high level of force in that situation.

“I don’t know of any projectile where you train to shoot at that close range,” Alpert said.

#Trump #law #Constitution #RightToProtest #FirstAmendment #ExcessiveForce #UseOfForce #PoliceBrutality #CivilRights #despotism #fascism #Tyranny #MafiaState #ICE #CBP #Gestapo #Sturmabteilung #RESIST