This week, more than a dozen people were arrested while protesting at a defence conference in Sydney.

The demonstrators from Palestine Action Group were protesting the presence of Israeli defence contractors, who were exhibiting at the event.

The riot squad, along with dogs and mounted police officers clashed with protesters and used pepper spray several times on the crowd.

Clashes like this one have become routine in Australia – with a change in police tactics, as officers increasingly use pepper spray and rubber bullets. 

Today, journalist and author Ariel Bogle on the use of these so-called “non-lethal” weapons, and how protesting in Australia has become more dangerous. 

This episode was originally published in October.

 

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Guest: Journalist and author, Ariel Bogle

Photo: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

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