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Tear Gas, Guns and Riot Squads: The Police State’s Answer to Free Speech Is Brute Force

Forget everything you’ve ever been taught about free speech in America. It’s all a lie. There can be no free speech for the citizenry when the government speaks in a language of force. What is this language of force? Militarized police. Riot squads. Camouflage gear. Black uniforms. Armored vehicles. Mass arrests. Pepper spray. Tear gas. Batons. Strip searches. Surveillance cameras. Kevlar vests. Drones. Lethal weapons. Less-than-lethal weapons unleashed with deadly force. Rubber bullets. Water cannons. Stun grenades. Arrests of journalists. Crowd control tactics. Intimidation tactics. Brutality. This is not the language of freedom. This is not even the language of law and order. Unfortunately, as John W. Whitehead argues in this episode of On Target, this is how the government at all levels—federal, state and local—now responds to those who choose to exercise their First Amendment right to peacefully assemble in public and challenge the status quo.

On Target with John Whitehead ® is a video and audio blog that provides an insightful, relevant and provocative commentary on popular culture and constitutional issues. Audio versions of On Target with John Whitehead ™ are part of The Rutherford Institute's educational outreach efforts and are available for use by radio stations and media outlets and for personal listening by individuals.