x
Breaking News
More () »

Judge denies Virginia ACLU's request to bar irritant use

Richmond Circuit Judge Beverly Snukals ruled Tuesday that granting the request would interfere with the ability of police to do their jobs.
Credit: Stephen Wozny, 13News Now
Police in Virginia Beach, seen with a plume of tear gas at the Oceanfront on. Officers used the gas to help break up a crowd after a demonstration on May 31, 2020 was declared an "unlawful assembly."

RICHMOND, Va. — A judge has denied an emergency request by lawyers from the Virginia branch of the American Civil Liberties Union to bar police from using chemical irritants or other devices to disperse protesters. 

News outlets report Richmond Circuit Judge Beverly Snukals ruled Tuesday that granting the request would interfere with the ability of police to do their jobs. 

The ACLU said in a statement they'll continue to pursue the lawsuit. 

Attorneys from the organization had argued in Richmond on Monday that police violated protesters’ constitutional rights to speech by using these devices to disperse a protest outside city hall on June 23.  

RELATED: ACLU requests Virginia police be barred from using irritants

RELATED: Virginia Legislative Black Caucus to introduce legislation that tackles police reform in special session

RELATED: Protesters, police clash in Lafayette Square after trying to tear down Andrew Jackson statue

Before You Leave, Check This Out