Authorities allegedly disputed the heat gun

WASHINGTON (Aftenposten): Before federal police forces cleared the White House park for protesters on June 1, they called for a heat gun. The beam should make the skin feel like it is burning.

On June 1 at 11:35 am, Adam D. DeMarco received an email that surprised him. The major in the United States National Guard was asked if he had an ADS in stock. ADS stands for Active Denial System. Popularly, the weapon is called a “heat beam”.

The request came from the Chief of the Military Police of the Metropolitan Area. It was part of the plan to clean up a park for the Black Lives Matter protesters.

Have testified for investigators

The commotion in the park on the north side of the White House has become highly controversial. Many believe that the police used excessive force. The intention, it is claimed, was for the president to have a photo session with the Bible in front of a church. The church had been vandalized during the protests.

The major has testified before a congressional committee about his role in the events. Several media outlets have received a letter from him for investigators. This is where the question of the heat gun and other equipment arises.

“The effect is overwhelming”

The email to De Marco claims that an “ADS can give our forces a capability they don’t have now.” In addition, it is noted that the intense heat beam “can effectively stop threatening behavior.” “The effect is overwhelming,” wrote the person who was in charge of cleaning the park the same day.

DeMarco responded after 20 minutes that they had no ads.

I did not hear the warning well

Later that night, when the park cleared, the oldest was present. He stopped 20 meters from the front line. 30 meters further back was the one who ordered the crowd to leave the place or be forced.

DeMarco says he only heard some of the words from the megaphone. The diploma thus enters the debate on whether the protesters were notified well enough and given the opportunity to leave the scene.

The area around Lafayette Park is still marked by what happened there in June:

“Wall of scorching heat”

According to The Washington Post, the heat cannon has been controversial for two decades. It should never have been used in an acute situation. On the other hand, many, including journalists, have been guinea pigs. One described it as a “wall of scorching heat” on the face. Most people speak of brutal pain.

When the Pentagon introduced the ADS in 2001, it was said that it should make the skin feel like it was on fire. At the same time, the heat penetrates less than half a millimeter into the skin. The idea is that the beam hurts a lot without leaving any visible or permanent damage.

Against migrants and Afghans?

The heat gun was also a hot topic in 2018. At the time, border guards wanted to use it against illegal immigrants at the United States border with Mexico. This is said to have been stopped by then-Minister of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen, according to The New York Times.

The radiation weapon is said to have been shipped to Afghanistan, but only a few weeks in 2010. Stanley McChrystal, a general, is said to have sent it back. He didn’t want propaganda from the Taliban about human microwaves.

Routine or shocking?

The Washington Post has spoken with a Department of Defense official about the case. The defense chief downplays the accusations and believes that emails about types of weapons are routine to see what is available.

Amnesty USA in the meantime the accusations are “shocking.” Amnesty believes it is unscrupulous for the authorities to consider using such a weapon against peaceful protesters.