Tip-Toe Through the Tear Gas (with me)

TITLE: Tip-Toe Through the Tear Gas (with me)

[Reading from left to right, top to bottom]

CAUTION: Long term exposure may cause “Blindness, Glaucoma, Immediate death due to severe chemical burns to the throat, lungs, Respiratory failure possibly resulting in death” – CDC (1)

The goal of CS GAS is PAIN COMPLIANCE

“The intent was to use [tear gas] once to disperse a crowd - not to expose someone daily for several months. [So, what other impacts are there?] WE DON’T KNOW.” – Dr. R. Hendriksen (2). It certainly impacts the reproductive system.

“IT’S A POISONOUS GAS” – Dr. R. Haar (3)

“COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE” – S. Jordt (3)

“THIS FEELS LIKE AN ATTACK ON EVERYBODY. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are in the city; IT FEELS LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF IN THE CITY.” – A non-protesting Portlander forced to leave her home due to tear gas contamination (4)

[Image of woman in pain, surrounded by cloud of tear gas]

“Even the Army realized they had done something wrong and that this was more toxic than they thought before” – S. Jordt (5)

but… PPB doesn’t care…

END POLICE BRUTALITY

“THEY’RE DEPLOYING PRE-9/11 GAS ON KIDS … GAS MADE BEFORE THESE KIDS WERE BORN” (6)

[In small text] Tear gas breaks down into even nastier chemicals over time. Most tear gas expired about five years after its date of manufacture.

Tear gas causes panic. It’s like turning on all the pain receptors in your face. Your nose and mouth start oozing snot – not a little – your whole face is pouring liquid. The more you breathe, the more you feel like you can’t breathe. It chokes you. It’s a terrifying feeling, like there’s not enough air. It makes your stomach cramp. It makes you vomit. Sometimes for days after your stomach is upset and you can’t draw a full breath. The scent follows you. You smell it everywhere.

TEAR GAS TEDDY: Mayor of Portland, Police Commissioner, Overseeing 80 nights of gassing and counting…

Studies have shown that a SINGLE exposure to tear gas increases susceptibility to RESPIRATORY ILLNESS.

[Image of Ted Wheeler, with word balloon emerging from his mouth:] “Nasty stuff… [when feds gas] it is unconscionable” (8).

Citations:

1. “Facts about Riot Control Agents Interim Document” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 4, 2018.
2. A. Asher, “Protesters and Lawmakers Are Concerned About the Effects of Expired Tear Gas,” Portland Mercury, August 4, 2020.
3. W. Stone, “Tear-Gassing Protesters During an Infectious Outbreak ‘A Recipe For Disaster,’” Kaiser Health News, June 8, 2020.
4. A. Asher, “Irregular Periods and Horrible Headaches: How Tear Gas is Making Portland Sick,” Vice, August 14, 2020.
5. W. Stone, “Tear-Gassing Protesters During an Infectious Outbreak ‘A Recipe For Disaster,’” Kaiser Health News, June 8, 2020.
6. A. Asher, “Protesters and Lawmakers Are Concerned About the Effects of Expired Tear Gas,” Portland Mercury, August 4, 2020.
7. W. Stone, “Tear-Gassing Protesters During an Infectious Outbreak ‘A Recipe For Disaster,’” Kaiser Health News, June 8, 2020.
8. E. Bailey, “Tear Gassing of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler Wasn’t Part of the Plan, Staffer Says,” The Oregonian, July 24, 2020

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

From southeastman and headingnorther. August 16, 2020. Print your own at zines.headingnorther.com.