Less Than Lethal Munitions Banned Against Protesters In Philly

PHILADELPHIA — After tear gas and rubber bullets were used against protesters in late May and early June during protests over George Floyd's police killing, the Philadelphia City Council passed a ban on using less than lethal munitions during protests.

The policy, proposed by Councilmember Helen Gym, passed with a 14 to three vote.

"In banning the police use of less lethal munitions in response to demonstrations, we are answering the calls of our constituents," Gym said. "This is a moment where repairing trust between our residents, public officials, and police is essential. Residential neighborhoods are not warzones. Demonstrators are not enemy combatants. This is a first step in working with our communities to build a new model for public safety that is driven by their needs and their vision for the future."

With the ban, police cannot use munitions such as tear gas and rubber bullets at protests and demonstrations.

Protesters who spilled onto Interstate 676 on May 30 were tear-gassed by police.

Mayor Jim Kenney and Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw initially stood by the decision to allow the use of tear gas, but later backpedaled and apologized for the incident.

The apologies came after dashboard camera footage from a Pennsylvania State Police vehicle refuted their claims and a New York Times report broke down the situation on the highway.

In addition to her apology, Outlaw declared a moratorium on use of tear gas for crowd control

She also said the police department is reviewing other weapons — such as pepper spray, bean bags, and other less than lethal weapons — available to SWAT members.

Tear gas, she said, should only be used when dealing with a violent person.