Park Police Calls Out Fake News: Authorities Did Not Use Tear Gas to Clear Protesters from Lafayette Park, Some Attacked Police

 
 Article by Nick Arama in "RedState":

A lot of media spread a huge lie about President Donald Trump yesterday, will any of them take it back?

Three guesses: not a chance in heck.

The U.S. Park Police is now confirmed that neither they or any assisting law enforcement groups with them deployed any tear gas near protesters in Lafayette Park a short time before President Donald Trump walked though the area.

Media ran with the false story that Trump had “peaceful protesters” gassed ahead of a “photo op” at St. John’s church.

The Park Police statement said there was no tear gas, just smoke canisters and pepper balls and that “protesters” were far from “peaceful.”

On Monday, June 1, the USPP worked with the United States Secret Service to have temporary fencing installed inside Lafayette Park. At approximately 6:33 pm, violent protestors on H Street NW began throwing projectiles including bricks, frozen water bottles and caustic liquids. The protestors also climbed onto a historic building at the north end of Lafayette Park that was destroyed by arson days prior. Intelligence had revealed calls for violence against the police, and officers found caches of glass bottles, baseball bats and metal poles hidden along the street.
To curtail the violence that was underway, the USPP, following established policy, issued three warnings over a loudspeaker to alert demonstrators on H Street to evacuate the area. Horse mounted patrol, Civil Disturbance Units and additional personnel were used to clear the area. As many of the protestors became more combative, continued to throw projectiles, and attempted to grab officers’ weapons, officers then employed the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls. No tear gas was used by USPP officers or other assisting law enforcement partners to close the area at Lafayette Park. Subsequently, the fence was installed.

Trump passed through shortly before 7:00 pm on his way to St. John’s Church, often called “the president’s church” because so many presidents have worshipped there to lend support after they’d been set on fire on Sunday. He was trying to deliver a message of order and calm to America in the face of the rioters. 

https://www.redstate.com/nick-arama/2020/06/02/park-police-calls-out-fake-news-authorities-did-not-use-tear-gas-to-clear-protesters-some-werent-peaceful/