Military Police Considered Using "Heat Ray" Weapon Against Protesters in Washington, DCThe brutal June 1 attacks on demonstrators in Washington, DC's Lafayette Square by local, federal and military police, backed up by National Guard, was widely publicized. Alongside their massive, highly armed presence, was the use of tear gas, flashbang and "stinger ball" grenades, which all disperse over a wide area serving to disorient and temporarily deafen and blind anyone they impact. The military police also considered using the military's "heat ray" device, known as the Active Denial System (ADS). According to the military, the "heat ray" can direct a beam toward a group providing "a sensation of intense heat on the surface of the skin. The effect is overwhelming, causing an immediate repel response by the targeted individual." According to Major Adam DeMarco, in charge of the DC National Guard, the Provost Marshal of the Military Police asked for the device. Speaking as though on the battlefield and not at a peaceful demonstration, the Provost wrote, "ADS can provide our troops a capability they currently do not have, the ability to reach out and engage potential adversaries at distances well beyond small arms range, and in a safe, effective, and non-lethal manner." Demonstrators, journalists and bystanders, including children, at actions across the country have been seriously injured by tear gas, rubber bullets and the various grenades -- all also called "safe" weapons. Demonstrators have called for all to be banned and point out that teargas is banned in warfare as a chemical weapon. Major DeMarco testified before Congress on July 28, confirming the use of tear gas and excessive use of force by the police and military on June 1. As an active-duty officer, he is being targeted and is seeking whistle-blower protection. The ADS has also been considered for use by border officials to attack immigrants. There are no reports of its use, but that it is considered for use both at demonstrations and at the U.S.-Mexico border is an indication of the level of militarization now taking place. This includes seeing people committing no crime and posing no threat as "adversaries" to "dominate." According to U.S. Park Police involved in the June 1 attacks,
a sound cannon (Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD)) was also used at the
demonstration. Supposedly it is to be used to provide a loud warning to
disperse. More commonly it is used as a weapon to disorient anyone
within range, which is several blocks, and can be frightening as it
emits a loud piercing noise that can drop a person to the ground. This
is followed by more deafening noise and often accompanied by tear gas.
Then, perhaps, another blast of sound with a warning of some kind
occurs. A main demand of on-going demonstrations is to ban any use of military and federal forces and equipment against them and to also demilitarize the local police who, thanks to the Pentagon, have use of these military tanks and weapons.
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