Increasing Use of Crowd Control Weapons in Protests
Local and federal law enforcement agencies have intensified their use of crowd control measures over the past year. Utilizing tear gas, rubber bullets, and pepper spray, authorities have suppressed protests outside Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers and during various crackdowns nationwide.
New Report Sheds Light on Crowd Control Tactics
A recent report highlights the extensive application of crowd control weapons during anti-immigrant demonstrations, with hundreds of incidents resulting in long-lasting trauma. The study, produced in collaboration with Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and the University of California, Berkeley’s Human Rights Center (HRC), uncovers 412 confirmed cases of “misuse” of these so-called less-lethal weapons between June 2025 and May 2026.
Physical and Psychological Impact of Crowd Control Weapons
The report documented 203 injuries believed to be linked to the misuse of these crowd control tactics. Reported injuries include severe outcomes like blindness, traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, broken bones, and contusions. Researchers faced challenges in fully assessing the extent of harm, as traditional visual inspection methods fall short in evaluating chemical injuries and chronic conditions such as pain or hearing loss.
Recent Protests Highlighting Law Enforcement Tactics
Earlier this summer, protests erupted outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, where demonstrators rallied in solidarity with hunger-striking detainees. As tensions escalated, masked ICE agents pepper-sprayed New Jersey Senator Andy Kim, an incident that drew nationwide attention amid growing opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
Systematic Misuse of Crowd Control Weapons
The use of crowd control weapons is not a new phenomenon in New Jersey; law enforcement across the country has deployed these measures against demonstrators opposing aggressive anti-immigrant policies. However, as resistance to the Trump administration’s immigration strategies intensifies, these methods have proliferated, prompting researchers to map incidents and highlight weapon usage in various communities.
Insights from Research and Testimonies
Dr. Rohini Haar, the lead author of the report, noted that the assessment of “misuse” was determined through various criteria, including targeting individuals in protected categories, such as journalists and healthcare workers. The report also focused on whether vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, were affected and whether the use of force adhered to established guidelines.
The Broader Context of Protest and Enforcement
The recent surge in crowd control weapon deployment mirrors law enforcement’s response to racial justice protests in 2020. Nationwide protests demanding an end to police violence led to widespread use of similar tactics, often involving federal agents. In this context, cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis have witnessed a significant uptick in recorded incidents related to crowd control misuse. Over 90% of the documented “abuse” incidents have occurred in these key urban areas, reflecting the intersection of demand for justice and aggressive law enforcement strategies.
