Calif. City Considers Lifting Ban on Police Use of Pepper Spray
By Dominic Fracassa
Source San Francisco Chronicle
Berkeley city officials called for a special meeting Thursday to consider lifting the city's ban on the police use of tear gas, tear-inducing smoke and pepper spray during the duration of the city council's recess.
The discussion will take place the day after protesters clashed with police in an effort to block construction of a planned student housing development at People's Park.
On Wednesday, as construction crews began cutting down trees inside the park, protesters ripped down security fencing, planted themselves in the street and damaged earthmovers and other construction equipment.
Police and construction crews were dispersed from the area, and construction was halted. Several people were arrested but it was not clear whether they were later booked on charges.
Documents provided by Berkeley did not make an explicit link between Wednesday's demonstrations and the measure to temporarily lift the ban on pepper spray and similar chemicals.
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