The only time I experienced tear gas was during an unlucky encounter with a protest in France. The Parisian police had accidentally dropped tear gas canisters into the subway below, leading to everyone in the crowded metro car to be trapped in a haze of chemical gas. The sounds of uncontrollable coughing came from every direction as tears poured down my face. I’ll never forget the intense burning smell and the way it choked me.
This experience doesn’t feel quite so distant anymore as I see similar tactics being used in Eugene today.
On Jan. 27, pepper balls, flash-bang grenades and tear gas were deployed against protesters over the span of four hours at a protest and vigil located at the Eugene Federal Building…