7am Why protests are getting more dangerous
Feb 14, 2026
Ariel Bogle, journalist and author who reports on policing and so‑called less‑lethal weapons. She discusses the rise of pepper spray, rubber bullets and flashbangs at protests. She recounts injuries from crowd weapons and traces where police get these tools. She explains legal and training gaps, trends in force use, and how intensified policing affects protest participation.
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Journalists Suffer Direct Harm
- Photographer Alex Zuko was pepper-sprayed while working at a Melbourne protest and went blind for about an hour.
- Another photographer was hit in the ear by a rubber bullet and required medical attention.
'Less-Lethal' Is Misleading
- 'Less-lethal' weapons like OC spray and baton rounds can cause lasting injury or death depending on use.
- Ariel Bogle argues the term "less lethal" is a misnomer and these tools should not be used lightly.
Arms Industry Supplies Police Gear
- Many less-lethal tools are supplied by large arms manufacturers who also build lethal weapons.
- Ariel Bogle highlights concerns about training and the panic risk when these devices are used in crowds.