Pro-democracy leader Arnon seeks volunteers to handle possible tear gas during rally today
Activist and human-rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, one of the leaders of the Ratsadon pro-democracy group, asked all protesters to come “prepared and bring protective gear” to the planned rally at Ratchaprasong intersection at 4pm on Wednesday.
“Tear gas might be used again in today’s rally,” Arnon posted on his Twitter account on Wednesday. “Police officers that use tear gas were called in, partly from other provinces, to stand by at the rally site since this afternoon. Please be prepared and bring protective gear,” he wrote.
“We need to follow what Hong Kong protesters did in handling tear gas canisters shot by officials. Yesterday we failed to extinguish the canisters when they hit the ground, causing the gas to spread,” Arnon said.
“We need volunteers to be responsible to undertake ‘gas duty’ besides our security guards, as they already have overwhelming duties to carry out. If we have a gas extinguishing unit, it would be excellent,” he said.
Ratsadon protesters had gathered outside Parliament on Tuesday to pressure lawmakers to accept iLaw’s constitution amendment draft. The clash emerged after riot police used tear gas and water cannons to prevent protesters breaking through to Parliament. Thirty-two people had been reportedly hurt by tear gas, six were hit by water cannons, four took sick and 13 had other symptoms.