
Author: Cailyn Schiltz
Madison's Common Council temporarily rejected the proposed ban on tear gas, citing the need for more research into an alternative.
Channel 3000 reports that the study into alternative crowd-dispersing methods will be due in January, then the council will take another look at the proposal.
City Alders originally proposed the ban this summer after the Madison Police Department unleashed tear gas and pepper spray on protesters. Alders also asked for justifications for every use of tear gas since 1990 and strongly recommended de-escalation alternatives.
Interim Police Chief Vic Wahl claims that chemical agents were used at a “conservative” level, given the property damage and aggression shown towards officers, according to Channel 3000.
“That is simply not the case and anybody who witnessed these protests would say the same,” responded protester Josie Zientek. “MPD was in full combat gear and was not being harmed, and they released tear gas entirely down State St., harming so many people who were there to stand up for what was right, peacefully.”