US immigration enforcement using military hardware and tactics on civilians
6 hours ago
- #law_enforcement
- #military_tactics
- #civil_rights
- Federal law enforcement agencies are using military hardware and tactics on civilians, such as in a Chicago apartment raid involving helicopters, flashbang grenades, and zip ties.
- Donald Trump suggested using American cities as 'training grounds for our military', reflecting his aggressive stance towards Democratic and nonwhite urban populations.
- Flashbang grenades, typically used in military operations, have been deployed by civilian police, raising concerns over excessive force and potential for severe injuries.
- A lawsuit by the LA Press Club seeks to prevent attacks on journalists and protesters during immigration enforcement operations, citing indiscriminate use of force.
- Former officials and experts criticize DHS for excessive force and lack of training in urban crowd control, highlighting the misuse of military-style tactics.
- Journalists covering federal operations have faced violence, including pepper-spray bullets and tear gas, prompting legal action to protect press freedoms.
- The FAA imposed a drone flight ban near a Chicago ICE facility, limiting aerial observation of federal operations to those with helicopters, raising transparency concerns.
- ACLU emphasizes that federal agents, regardless of uniform, must adhere to constitutional rights, with accountability for violations.