SONIC WEAPONS USED IN IRAQ POSITIONED AT CONGRESSIONAL TOWNHALL MEETINGS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY

[Orwellian_Ghost]

September 11, 2009 (San Diego) – “Long-range acoustic devices for crowd control can be extremely dangerous. These are used in Iraq to control insurgents. They can cause serious and lasting harm to humans…We want to know WHY our Sheriff Dept has this weapon,” Sal Magallanez of San Diego-based Liberty One Radio said in an e-mail sent to East County Magazine, prompting a joint investigation.

The device was stationed by San Diego County Sheriff deputies at a recent town hall forum hosted by Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) in Spring Valley and at a subsequent town hall with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-San Diego). The Davis Rally drew an estimated 1,300-1,500 people, including vocal conservative and liberal protest groups.


A public records search conducted by East County Magazine has confirmed that the device is an LRAD 500-x manufactured by San Diego-based American Technology Corporation (ATC). Capable of use as an effective loudspeaker, the LRAD also has the ability to emit a deafening tone aimed at incapacitating and dispersing a crowd without use of lethal force.

“It’s very concerning,” Kevin Keenan, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, said. “ It is fine for the Sheriff’s Department to have new less-than-lethal weapons, but for their interactions with individuals these still-dangerous weapons need to be used only as substitutes for firearms. They can’t be used as just another tool on the tool belt. As we’ve seen with tasers and pepper spray, these types of weapons are being used to subdue people even though they pose the risk of serious physical harm.”

He added, “Even more concerning is having these weapons for public order policing. I can imagine no situation, or am not aware of any situation that’s ever happened in San Diego County or is likely to happen that would justify using these weapons for public order policing to control a crowd. The main effect of having those weapons at public events is to chill people and chill free speech and free association.”

...

http://eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/1874

[fascisthunter]

1. pretty sick, isn't it?

[bobbolink]

7. What's sick is the lack of outrage.

Can you imagine people in REAL democracies tolerating this?

Can you imagine the reaction of our founders???

[Eric J in MN]

2. They should go back to firehoses.

While I wouldn't want to get knocked over by a firehose, I'd prefer it to getting hit with tear gas or a sonic weapon.

[DJ13]

3. Fascism must be preserved at the expense of freedom

Absolutely disgusting.

[TxRider]

4. W T F??

Ohh well someone should pass out disposable ear plugs...

[deaniac21]

5. Coney Dog?

[Orwellian_Ghost]

6. Bump