This is what's going on

[pecunium]

If a picture is worth a thousand words....

Woman being pepper sprayed, for offering a flower

She's not trying to break the line. She is backing up as it goes forward. Then the cop sprays her.

When she's walking away, clearly affected by it, trying to leave; and apparently no longer, "a threat," he hoses her again.

Comments

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

I'm not doubting that it would happen, but do we know it's pepper spray, rather than a water hose? Her reaction seems rather subdued for it to be that big a dose of pepper spray.

I kind of hope it was water...not just because it would (in this amount and velocity) hurt her less, but because spraying peaceful protesters with water hoses, that brings up some dark memories for those of us of a certain age. A still from this clip begs to be paired with one of those famous pictures, but I have not the knowledge to do such.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

It's a can of something. He takes it from his belt. I can't imagine it being water. She is plainly distressed, and when she gets hit the second time she reacts a lot more powerfully than a shot of water in the back would warrant.

[cakmpls.livejournal.com]

Thanks--it isn't playing very well on my media player, and I don't see the part where he takes it off his belt.

I still think it would be a great image paired up with some of the historical photos.

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

It is possible to react fairly calmly to pepper spray, especially if you were expecting it, have experienced it before, and and managed to close or shield your eyes. It's nasty stuff, but at this point, most people who go to protests have, I suspect, been sprayed a time or two and are learning how to handle it.

Having washed down with castile soap before going (to limit the oil on your skin, with which it reacts, as much as possible) also helps.