This one disgusted me. This was a peaceful protest as far as I could see, the police went ahead and tear gassed the crowd hitting a reporter
indiscriminately with the gas as well. Listen to the video, the police said that they had determined that it was an illegal protest. (read: they
desided to be judge jury and exicutioner.
"By order of the city of Pittsburgh police. I hereby declare this to be an unlawful assembly. I order all those assembled to immediately disperse.
You must leave the immediate vicinity. If you rem..." (the audio cuts off there and the scene continues with the reporter coughing and really in need
of medical attention.)
The above statement was a clear violation of the first amendment of the United States Constitution.
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The police chose instead to commit (in my opinion) several dozen instances of attempted murder by use of a chemical agent.
Montreal medical team exposes documents on tear gas danger
Tear Gas: Harassing Agent or Toxic Chemical Weapon?
Although described as a non-lethal weapon for crowd control, many studies have raised doubts about this classification. As well as creating severe
pulmonary damage, CS can also significantly damage the heart and liver.[9]
On September 28, 2000, Prof. Dr. Uwe Heinrich released a study commissioned by John C. Danforth, of the United States Office of Special Counsel, to
investigate the use of CS by the FBI at the Branch Davidians' Mount Carmel compound. He concluded that the lethality of CS used would have been
determined mainly by two factors: whether gas masks were used and whether the occupants were trapped in a room. He suggests that if no gas masks were
used and the occupants were trapped, then, "...there is a distinct possibility that this kind of CS exposure can significantly contribute to or even
cause lethal effects."[1]
Many reports have associated CS exposure with miscarriages.[9] This is consistent with its reported clastogenic effect (abnormal chromosome change) on
mammalian cells.
When CS is metabolized, cyanide can be detected in human tissue.[9] According to the United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive
Medicine, CS emits "very toxic fumes" when heated to decomposition, and at specified concentrations CS gas is an immediate danger to life and
health. They also state that those exposed to CS gas should seek medical attention immediately.[2]
Source:
CS Gas Toxicity
I am sure that there are several federal anti terrorism laws as well as state and city statutes against using a known harmful chemical weapon against
a civilian population. I am also certain that there are numerous international human rights laws that would be violated if such a person were inclined
to research them.
Walking with a sign down a street is not a cause to use chemical restraints against a crowd. From the activity of the reporter he was in no danger
from the crowd nor was the crowd any direct threat to the police force in place.
To me the police acted in a cruel and inhumane manner violating not only one of our most precious rights in this country, but needlessly endangering
the lives of peaceful protesters. If the police felt that the protesters were in fact violating some law in Pittsburgh, they should have been arrested
and then had the opportunity to stand trial for the crimes they were accused of. Instead the police took it upon themselves to convict and sentence
these citizens without a trial. Their punishment was a lungful of a known lethal chemical agent.
The act of which if done by any civilian would have that civilian brought up on terrorism charges. Here we have uniformed and sworn protectors of the
peace using a tactic that would have anyone else jailed if not executed for crimes against the state. For the crime of exercising these peoples first
amendment right to peacefully assemble and protest.
Why is it that TEA party protesters can assemble and protest higher taxes, why is it that Nazi and Klu Klux Klan members can protest, Why is it that
everyone except those that are the peasantry can protest?
It is a god given right in this country to go where you will and say what you will, if you have a problem with the government it is your duty to
protest against it.
I believe in these protests. I believe in all of them. Because without our right to peacefully protest our grievances against what we feel is wrong we
have no freedom. This is the freedom the Pittsburgh police decided to violently take away.
I'm not ready to sling out my AARP card! 
