#Portland bans cops from using loudspeakers to break up George Floyd protests

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Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has banned police from using a special loudspeaker to break up protests.
John Rudoff/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The mayor of Oregon’s biggest city is forbidding the use of special loudspeakers to break up George Floyd protests — and is expected to ban tear gas, too.

Portland ended a ninth straight day of protests Friday in a fog of smoke and ear-splitting sounds — intended to disperse thousands of demonstrators. Law enforcement officials also threw stun grenades.

Protesters took down a fence outside the downtown jail and threw objects over the fence at officers, according to Portland police and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

After the violence, Mayor Ted Wheeler tweeted his decision to stop the police bureau from using its extra-loud sound equipment to clear crowds and told protesters gathered near City Hall that he would make an “announcement” Saturday about the use of tear gas.

He pointed to a decision by Seattle to ban tear gas. Seattle’s mayor and police chief issued the 30-day order Friday.

“The city of Seattle today, late this afternoon, banned the use of tear gas for 30 days, except in limited circumstances,” he said. “We should do the same. Tomorrow, my colleagues and I will make an announcement.”

Earlier Friday, Wheeler and police brass have defended the use of tear gas as necessary. The mayor pledged to support a ban on tear gas if police had a viable alternative.