The Geneva Convention has banned the use of tear gas in warfare as it is a chemical weapon. Tear gas can cause severe reactions, difficulty breathing, prolonged irritation, and of course- “tearing.”

The United States has been using tear gas to disperse crowds of peaceful protesters across this great nation and it is a shame that we are using internationally banned chemical weapons on civilians within our own borders.  The loophole allows for state agencies, not the military or National Guard, to use the banned substances against civilians.  This is outrageous and must come to an end.  Protestors in this country are guaranteed a right to a peaceful protest, and the police in our country are allowed to continually escalate these events.

We are calling on the United States Congress and Department of Justice to outlaw the use of tear gas by every and all police in the United States.  The United States is better than this, her citizens do not deserve to be treated this way.  Demand the US follow International Law and lead by example.

Use the hashtags: #StopTeargas #NoMoreTeargas #StopPoisoningCivilians