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Judge grants restraining order halting Seattle ban on officers using crowd-control weapons

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At the request of the DOJ, a federal judge temporarily halted a Seattle ban on police use of tear gas, pepper spray and other weapons used for crowd control. The decision comes ahead of potential protests across the weekend as federal agents arrive in Seattle to protect federal property.

At the request of the DOJ, a federal judge temporarily halted a Seattle ban on police use of tear gas, pepper spray and other weapons used for crowd control. The decision comes ahead of potential protests across the weekend as federal agents arrive in Seattle to protect federal property.

  1. 24 Jul 2020

    NEW: After very last-minute hearing, Judge grants temporary restraining order on banning use of crowd-control weapons this weekend, so now Seattle officers can use tear gas, pepper spray and other crowd deterrents this weekend if they deem it necessary. Good night.

    More regarding ban on crowd-control weapons... Chief Best wrote this letter to businesses and residents about the city council ban. “Simply put, the legislation gives officers NO ability to safely intercede to preserve property in the midst of a large, violent crowd.”
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  2. 24 Jul 2020

    UPDATE: Judge Robart has granted the temporary restraining order. I've reached out to 's office as well for comment

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  3. 24 Jul 2020

    - Federal Judge rules in favor of Trump administration tonight in United States vs City of Seattle. Says that TRO is “very temporary” and that he wants to hear from police oversight agencies. Tear gas is legal for now.

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  4. 24 Jul 2020

    Federal Judge James Robart tonight approved a motion by the DOJ to temporarily block from taking effect this Sunday a new Seattle City Council law completely banning the police from using (or even possessing) crowd weapons like tear gas, blast balls and foam/rubber bullets.

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  5. 24 Jul 2020

    The council’s law includes an exception for pepper spray in certain circumstances, only when targeted at individuals, not protest crowds.

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  6. 24 Jul 2020

    Robart’s ruling means the current crowd weapons status quo will continue. The status quo is a preliminary injunction recently issued by Federal Judge Richard Jones in a lawsuit brought by protesters.

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  7. 24 Jul 2020

    The Jones injunction says the police cannot use crowd control weapons indiscriminately on crowds of peaceful protesters, and can only use them in certain, targeted circumstances.

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  8. 24 Jul 2020

    There is background on the Jones injunction and the council’s law here:

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  9. 24 Jul 2020

    TL:DR The Jones injunction did not stop the police earlier this month from using crowd control weapons when dealing with a protest crowd. The council’s ban wasn’t in effect yet, and still is not in effect. That’s the status quo that will continue, per tonight’s ruling.

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  10. 24 Jul 2020

    ICYMI a judge just issued a TRO against the police chief who issued a no riot gear ban on city council orders. So SPD is back in riot gear with munitions via the DOJ who the mayor worked for. Prediction: not going to end well.

    NEW: Robart says he will GRANT the restraining order. "It will be very temporary."
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  11. 24 Jul 2020

    A wild legal thing happening: DOJ just asked for a restraining order to halt Chief Best's directive banning officers from using pepper spray, tear gas, etc. — which she did because the council banned them. Basically, DOJ wants her to ignore the ordinance.

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  12. 24 Jul 2020

    Tl;dr: - Council bans tear gas, blast balls, etc. - Chief Best, begrudgingly, gives the order to officers. - DOJ asks federal judge to halt Best's order because they say it violates the consent decree. "There is no city ordinance exception to the terms of the Consent Decree."

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  13. 24 Jul 2020

    There are two parties in an agreement to reform SPD: The DOJ and Seattle. Seattle asked the judge to review the council's ban on CCW (but not for a restraining order) and he said no. Now, DOJ wants a restraining order — not against the ban, but its implementation by chief Best.

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  14. 24 Jul 2020

    UPDATE: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, blocking an ordinance that bans the use of tear gas, pepper spray and other tools used by Seattle police to disperse a crowd.

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