National Guard member deployed in DC when tear gas was launched at peaceful protesters said what he saw was 'really f----- up'

Associated Press

• A Washington, DC Guardsman who was deployed to Lafayette Square last week told Politico he was horrified but the use of teargas on peaceful protesters.
• He said he felt used and saw the use of force as a violation of civil rights. 
• The White House has denied the use of teargas. 
• Videos and images from reporters on the scene show chemicals being deployed to clear protesters ahead of President Donald Trump's photo op at St. John's Church. 
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A Washington, DC Guardsman, who was deployed to Lafayette Square last week — where tear gas was used by US Park Police to disperse peaceful protesters so President Donald Trump could take a photo in front of a church near the White House — told Politico he felt used and that what he saw was a violation of civil rights.

"The crowd was loud but peaceful, and at no point did I feel in danger, and I was standing right there in the front of the line," the Guardsman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said to Politico, contradicting the White House line that the protesters had been violent.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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See Also:

• A number of DC National Guard troops who responded to protests have tested positive for COVID-19
• A man drove his car through a Black Lives Matter protest in Seattle and then shot a 27-year-old protester
• Photos show where around the world Black Lives Matter and anti-police brutality protests are erupting, from Tokyo to Amsterdam

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