WASHINGTON, DC — During the first night of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) host Eva Longoria Bastón reignited the rumor that protesters were tear-gasses outside of the White House in June.
While introducing Washington DC Mayor, Muriel Bowser, Bastón stated:
“Our nation is facing a lot right now and over the next four nights we are going to cover it all. But tonight we are going to talk about three specific crises we face the pandemic, an economic downturn, and an ongoing systemic racial injustice.
“But we’re not just going to focus on what’s wrong; we’re going to talk about how to make it right.
When peaceful protestors were tear-gassed across from the White House our next speaker stood up, stood strong, and turned that place into the Black Lives Matter plaza in their honor.”
Mayor Bowser has been incredibly outspoken about the treatment of “peaceful” protestors in Washington DC.
I imposed a curfew at 7pm. A full 25 minutes before the curfew & w/o provocation, federal police used munitions on peaceful protestors in front of the White House, an act that will make the job of @DCPoliceDept officers more difficult. Shameful!
DC residents — Go home. Be safe
— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) June 2, 2020
This sentiment continued in during her speech where Bowser said, of President Donald Trump:
“He sent troops and camouflage into our streets. He sent tear gas into the air, and federal helicopters, too, I knew if he did this to D.C., he would do it to your city or your town. And that’s when I said, ‘Enough.’”
Both the introduction by Bastón and the assertion by Boswer include false information regarding the protests. Breitbart found these claims to be false and reported that “tear gas was not used to clear the protesters — and many were violent, not peaceful.”
Attorney General William Barr argued the same thing in June in an interview with CBS. This is what Barr said when he was questioned about the decision to expand the perimeter around the White House:
“MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to ask you about some of the events of the week. On Monday, Lafayette Park was cleared of protesters. You’ve spoken about this. The federal agents who were there report up to you. Did you think it was appropriate for them to use smoke bombs, tear gas, pepper balls, projectiles at what appeared to be peaceful protesters?
BARR: They were not peaceful protesters. And that’s one of the big lies that the- the media is- seems to be perpetuating at this point.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Three of my CBS colleagues were there. We talked to them.
BARR: Yeah.
MARGARET BRENNAN: They did not hear warnings. They did not see protesters–
BARR: There were three warnings.
Brilliant move! No one is more in touch with the challenges & obstacles faced by everyday Americans than actors & celebrities. https://t.co/nzHOniMHPN
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 18, 2020
MARGARET BRENNAN:–throwing anything.
BARR: There were three warnings given. But let’s get back to why we took that action. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, OK, there were violent riots in- at Lafayette Park where the park police were under constant attack at the- behind their bike rack fences. On Sunday, things reached a crescendo.
“The officers were pummeled with bricks. Crowbars were used to pry up the pavers at the park and they were hurled at police. There were fires set in not only St. John’s Church, but a historic building at Lafayette was burned down.”
Brilliant move! No one is more in touch with the challenges & obstacles faced by everyday Americans than actors & celebrities. https://t.co/nzHOniMHPN
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) August 18, 2020
The night before Washington DC protesters clashed with officers in front of the White House they attempted to burn down the St. John’s Church. The fire, which started in the basement, was put out before it spread to the rest of the building.
Barr also went on to clarify that the police used pepper balls rather than chemical irritants or tear gas to clear the crowds.
This was corroborated in a statement made by the National Park Service where they claimed:
“As many of the protestors became more combative, continued to throw projectiles, and attempted to grab officers’ weapons, officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls.”
The assertion made by Bastón and furthered by Bowser were incorrect and dangerous to push in the election season.
Here’s Law Enforcement Today’s previous report on the DNC.
Coming up on August 17 is the Democratic National Convention, for which many police agencies were set to help with security.
However, since Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales has been ordered to change the policies for the department and essentially ban tear gas and pepper spray use, over 100 agencies have pulled out of that agreement.
The associated press reported:
“Since the Milwaukee order was issued, more than 100 law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin and across the country decided against coming to Milwaukee, Morales told WTMJ-TV on Tuesday.
“They were concerned with directives placed on the police department, including not allowing tear gas or pepper spray, he said.”
Originally, as in years past, there was a plan in place to have 1,000 officers from outside agencies on hand to assist with security.
Chief Morales didn’t specify all the agencies that have pulled out, nor did he say how many officers he expected to be in attendance.
He did say, however, that he’s considering calling in the National Guard or asking for federal officers to be deployed for assistance in the absence of local officers.
Many of those heads of agencies that have backed out expressed their concern over the lack of tools being afforded to officers to safely disperse violent crowds.
Due to COVID-19, the event is expected to have a low number of 300 attendees, with many speeches and events being virtual only. Former Vice President Joe Biden has indicated that he will be in Milwaukee to accept the Democratic nomination for Presidential Candidate.
Despite the low attendance expected, police were still planning on having a full-scale security plan in case of mass protests.
Some of the comments from department heads are as follows:
- Franklin, WI Police Chief Rick Oliva said:
“It is apparent there is a lack of commitment to provide the Milwaukee Police Department with the resources it needs to ensure the safety of peaceful protesters, attendees, citizens and police personnel.
“I can not send personnel if they are not properly equipped or will not be allowed to engage in appropriate actions which would ensure their safety.”
- Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson said no officers would be sent by his department:
“I understand that use of chemical irritants and pepper spray is serious and those are to be used only when legally justified. But when you take that out of the continuum that doesn’t leave the officers much other than getting harmed or using deadly force and that’s not good for any officer or the public.”
- Fond du Lac Police Chief William Lamb confirmed that his agency is pulling out of the agreement, and added that he expects others to do the same:
“We regret having to do that. We respect the Fire and Police Commission’s decision.
“But in this particular case, we strongly disagree with the actions they’ve taken. We believe (that) in removing those tools, the use of chemical irritants or pepper spray, from the available resources that the law enforcement officers would have at their disposal if protests become non-peaceful would severely compromise the safety of the public and also the safety of the law enforcement officers who would be assigned to protect the DNC.”
- West Allis Deputy Chief Robert Fletcher said in an email to Chief Morales:
“Our concern is that in the event protests turn non-peaceful, such a policy would remove tools from officers that may otherwise be legal and justifiable to utilize in specific situations.”
Despite all the concerns, some agencies are standing by their commitments to the event.
Among those still assisting is Green Bay PD. Police Chief Andrew Smith said:
“We made a commitment that we would assist Chief Morales and the Milwaukee Police Department. We intend to honor that commitment.”
West Bend Police Chief Kenneth Meuler, who is a former Milwaukee Captain, said:
“I am confident that Chief Morales and city officials will work out an agreement to address the concerns that some of the other chiefs have raised.”
Milwaukee Common Council President Cavalier Johnson spoke regarding the commission’s decision to remove police use of chemical irritants in crowd control.
He said:
“[The council has] only asked for transparency when it comes to the use of chemical irritants — especially during a time when tensions between law enforcement and the community need to be de-escalated.
“I’m very thankful to police forces from Green Bay, West Bend and other communities from across Wisconsin and the United States that not only will honor their commitment to provide security during the Democratic National Convention but also respect the moment that our nation is in as we collectively re-examine police-community relations.”
While some agencies have backed out of the agreement citing COVID-19 concerns rather than handcuffing police, Some said they could no longer spare the resources due to civil unrest in their own localities. Some have also backed out with no explanation.
At this time, there has been no decision made regarding an updated security plan in light of the lack of agencies participating. As stated above, Chief Morales is considering the use of the National Guard and/or federal officers.
No members of the DNC have commented as of yet.
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