7am Police v protestors
Nov 8, 2025
Ariel Bogle, a journalist and author specializing in policing and protest tactics, discusses Australia’s escalating use of 'non-lethal' weapons during protests. She highlights the risks of pepper spray and rubber bullets, detailing alarming injuries among demonstrators. Bogle also examines the origins of these police tools, the legal changes limiting protest rights, and the troubling dynamics of accountability in police actions. The chilling effect of increased police force on public willingness to protest is a critical concern raised throughout the conversation.
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Journalists Hurt While Doing Their Job
- Photographer Alex Zuko was pepper sprayed while working at a Melbourne protest and went blind for about an hour.
- Another photographer was hit in the ear with a rubber bullet and required medical attention.
So-Called 'Less Lethal' Can Be Seriously Harmful
- OC spray today often uses a sticky foam that is hard to remove and causes intense, lasting pain to the eyes.
- Projectiles like baton rounds can cause lasting injury, brain damage, or death depending on use.
Arms Firms Supply 'Less Lethal' Gear
- Many less-lethal tools are manufactured by large arms companies that also make lethal weapons.
- Their use can cause panic, stampedes, and a range of injuries if deployed into crowds without strict oversight.