Episode 222 - Protests, Cod Pieces and Tear Gas

Podcast Summary

• Discussing the risks and mitigations of protesting: Stay informed, prioritize safety, and address root causes to reduce risks during protests. Experts emphasize hydration, nutrition, injury prevention, and decolonizing medicine.

  Protesting, an essential civic right, comes with inherent risks, particularly medical ones. Three experts join the House of Pod to discuss these risks and ways to mitigate them. ER doctor and toxicologist Dr. Ryan Marino, investigative journalist and historian Dr. James Stout, and physician and associate professor at UCSF Dr. Rupa Maria share their insights. Marino emphasizes the importance of hydration and nutrition, Stout discusses the potential for injuries and psychological trauma, and Maria highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of protests and decolonizing medicine to reduce health disparities. Overall, the panel stresses the importance of being prepared, staying informed, and prioritizing safety during protests.

• Decolonizing Medicine: Making it work for all people: Examine and challenge power structures in healthcare to include diverse perspectives and make it equitable for all communities

  Decolonizing medicine means making it work for all people by examining and challenging the power structures that have historically excluded certain communities. This includes rethinking how healthcare resources are allocated, how we define and treat various conditions, and even the technologies we use in medicine. Decolonizing medicine doesn't mean discarding science or peer review, but rather incorporating more diverse perspectives into the field. The speaker, a doctor and musician, shared her personal connection with the topic, having grown up playing music with another doctor in San Francisco. She emphasized the importance of this conversation, especially in light of ongoing issues like the destruction of healthcare systems in places like Palestine.

• University Students Protest Against Palestinian Human Rights Violations: Students demand accountability from universities for their role in Palestinian human rights violations through boycott, divestment, and sanctions, addressing military research, investments, and surveillance technology.

  During this critical time, the silence from institutions in the face of human rights violations against Palestinians is being met with student protests across universities. These protests are calling for liberation for the people of Palestine and addressing the complicity of their universities through boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS). The issue is not just about academic freedom, but also about the potential involvement of universities in military research, investments in military contractors, and the use of surveillance technology. The students' demands aim to hold universities accountable for their role in these human rights violations and to create a collective intelligence and process that centers community care and knowledge. The protests are a response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, with thousands of children being killed and injured since October 2022. It's a call for action to challenge the power structures that contribute to poor health outcomes for marginalized communities.

• University Protests: Human Rights Concerns and Accountability: Protests against Israeli institutions in universities are driven by concerns for human rights and accountability for universities' role in developing technology used in the conflict in Gaza. The conversation addressed varying perceptions, the importance of narrative control, and the call for universities to stop profiting from warfare and weapons.

  The ongoing protests against Israeli institutions in universities, particularly in the US, are driven by a deep concern for human rights and the desire to hold universities accountable for their complicity in developing technology used in the conflict in Gaza. The perception of these protests varies widely, with some dismissing them as uninformed or driven by personal reasons, while others view them as a reasonable response to universities' investments in warfare and weapons. The conversation also touched upon the importance of narrative control and the power of language in shaping our understanding of complex issues. The most controversial stance expressed in the conversation was the call for universities to stop profiting from warfare and weapons, which has faced significant backlash. The conversation emphasized the importance of artists, storytellers, and writers in expanding our imaginings and challenging limiting narratives.

• Emerging language of understanding and respect at activist camps: Activist camps foster important dialogue and learning despite potential legal risks and consequences.

  At these activist camps, a new language of understanding and respect is emerging between people of different backgrounds. This language is crucial for creating a better world, especially in the context of climate action. However, participants face significant risks, including legal charges such as trespassing and resisting arrest. These charges, even if relatively minor, can have serious consequences, including expulsion from universities and negative impacts on one's life. Despite these challenges, the importance of the dialogue and learning taking place in these camps cannot be overstated.

• Hate crime laws don't shield law enforcement from charges against activists protesting Israeli violence: Activists protesting Israeli violence face aggressive charges, denial of basic necessities, and potential Supreme Court protection for free speech

  Hate crime legislation may not protect law enforcement officers, and some District Attorneys are aggressively pursuing charges against activists protesting against Israeli violence towards Palestinians. This is significant because these activists pose a threat to the system that benefits from the Israeli industry, and their protests have the potential to create meaningful change. The state is using its full force to stop these protests, including denying protesters water and other basic necessities. The distinction between free speech protections at public universities versus private universities was also discussed, with it being noted that public universities generally offer broader first amendment protections. A recent Supreme Court ruling clarified that where statements verge on violence, freedom of speech should be prioritized over prosecution of violence. No threats have been observed at these encampments.

• Private universities can use tear gas against students protesting: Private universities have broader authority to restrict protests and use tear gas, increasing risks to students' academic and personal safety

  Private universities may have broader authority to restrict access and impose consequences on students who engage in protests, including the use of tear gas. Tear gas, which is a type of irritant used to disperse crowds, is controversial due to its potential health risks and documented deaths. Despite being considered non-lethal, it has been banned in warfare but allowed for use on citizens during protests. The main component of tear gas is capsaicin, which is similar to pepper spray. While it's supposed to be less harmful than bullets, there have been documented deaths from its use in modern, progressive countries. Students at private universities may face greater risks to their academic careers and personal safety when participating in protests compared to public institutions.

• Use of tear gas domestically despite international conventions: Tear gas, a historical military weapon causing disorientation and pain, is used domestically despite health risks and international prohibitions, affecting not only targets but also bystanders and animals.

  Tear gas, a historical military weapon developed to cause disorientation and pain, is now used domestically despite being illegal in warfare due to international conventions. It is an indiscriminate agent that causes irritation to the eyes, mouth, nose, and other mucus membranes, making it difficult for individuals to function coherently. The use of tear gas is deeply unpleasant and can be debilitating, affecting not only the intended target but also bystanders and animals in the vicinity. Its cruelty is the point, as it works on pain receptors in the body, causing both tearing and overall body pain. The historical use of tear gas includes agents that have significant health risks, and it can be challenging to know what is being used. Despite these risks, tear gas continues to be used domestically, highlighting the complex and often contradictory nature of its regulation.

• Non-lethal crowd control methods can have deadly consequences: Despite being marketed as non-lethal, some crowd control methods can cause toxic, deadly, or carcinogenic breakdown products, potentially leading to cancer, liver failure, or other deadly consequences.

  So-called non-lethal or less lethal crowd control methods, which have been used in Western nations for over a decade, can have toxic, deadly, or carcinogenic breakdown products. These methods are intended to cause suffering without causing organ damage or hospitalization, but the impact can vary depending on individuals' underlying conditions. Some people may recover quickly, while others may experience deadly consequences, such as cancer or liver failure. Furthermore, the hiring of military mercenaries to suppress protests raises concerns about the use of unknown and potentially deadly chemicals. The implications of this are significant, as these methods are being used to suppress people's constitutional right to govern themselves peacefully in the United States. The media may frame these methods as non-lethal or less lethal, but the reality is that they can be deadly and should not be used on young people or other vulnerable populations. It is essential to question the complicity of the US medical system with the state and prepare for chaotic situations to ensure the safety and well-being of those exercising their right to protest.

• Supporting Health During Protests: During protests, prioritize safety, especially for those with respiratory conditions. Use water for decontamination, not milk. Consider using protective gear like half mask respirators and goggles.

  During times of social unrest and protests, it's crucial to support the health and well-being of those involved to help fuel the movement. However, it's important to note that the revolutionary force often comes from the grassroots, not the professional classes. Exposure to tear gas, a common weapon used during protests, can be dangerous, especially for those with respiratory conditions. The best way to decontaminate after exposure is to use water and remove contaminated clothing. Milk is unnecessary for decontamination. If possible, use a half mask respirator and impact resistant goggles instead of an old surplus gas mask, as the lenses may not be impact resistant. It's essential to prioritize safety and avoid potential hazards to ensure the movement can continue.

• Riot responses can cause significant harm, even with non-lethal force: Riot responses, even with non-lethal force, can lead to serious injuries and neglect of essential services like healthcare.

  Even though non-lethal force used during riot responses may not result in death, it can still cause significant harm, such as loss of vision from rubber bullets. Furthermore, many American police forces are trained by the Israeli Defense Forces in riot control tactics, which involve extreme measures like cutting off water and using impact rounds. James added that police officers use protective gear like plate carriers with groin flaps to shield themselves from bullets, while neglecting essential services like healthcare for the public. It's crucial to expand our knowledge on how to provide medical care during riots and protests, as healthcare providers can play a vital role in supporting those on the frontlines. For more information, check out the Activist Handbook's riot medicine section.

• Learning from the Do No Harm Coalition's Bridge Trainings: The Do No Harm Coalition's bridge trainings empower healthcare professionals to enter chaotic situations safely and effectively, understanding consent and serving oppressed communities.

  Expanding one's knowledge and skills through bridge trainings, such as those offered by the Do No Harm Coalition, is crucial for healthcare professionals looking to provide care in chaotic situations and support oppressed communities. The Do No Harm Coalition, formed in response to a hunger strike in San Francisco in 2016, aims to understand the health impacts of state violence and dismantle structures of oppression. Their bridge training, available on YouTube, equips clinicians with necessary skills for entering chaotic situations safely and effectively, including understanding the dynamics of consent and serving oppressed communities. The coalition's work includes responding to situations like the one at Standing Rock, where police violence was a concern. For those interested in getting involved or donating supplies, the Do No Harm Coalition's activist handbook is a valuable resource.

• Advocacy crucial for medical professionals during political unrest or emergencies: Medical professionals must advocate for patients during crises, but it requires sacrificing personal advancement to serve the community.

  During times of political unrest or emergency situations, having advanced medical training and being able to stabilize patients before they reach higher levels of care is crucial. However, these situations can be hostile towards medical professionals and patients, making the role of advocates essential. The younger generation of doctors is becoming more involved in this work, but more needs to be done for them to fully commit to putting their privilege on the line for the betterment of all. This requires a willingness to sacrifice personal advancement and instead use resources and privilege to serve the community.

• Learning from diverse teachers for better health outcomes: Understanding the impact of history and power on health, using opioid settlement funds, and supporting healthcare infrastructure in Palestine are crucial for positive health outcomes.

  History and power deeply impact our physical health, and treating the whole system, including the environment and people, as interconnected parts is crucial for positive outcomes. Dr. Rupa Marya emphasizes the importance of learning from diverse teachers, including medical professionals, activists, and community leaders. She also raises awareness about the misuse of opioid settlement funds, which should be used to help those harmed by pharmaceutical companies, not to purchase weapons for law enforcement. Lastly, she calls for solidarity and action to support healthcare workers and infrastructure in Palestine. Dr. Marya's work, as she calls it, "deep medicine," emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of addressing systemic issues for the benefit of the entire ecosystem.

• Supporting a friend's GoFundMe campaign and advocating for peace: Consider supporting friends in need through crowdfunding, advocate for peace, and be aware of municipal spending. Flexible insurance and sheet choices are important, and remember to rate and review the podcast.

  The speakers on this podcast are encouraging listeners to support a friend's GoFundMe campaign to help his family, and they encourage everyone to be aware of where their municipal dollars are going and take action against war crimes and warfare. The speakers also mention various books, authors, and topics, and express appreciation for their team and sponsors. They remind listeners that the podcast is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and encourage flexibility in insurance coverage and sheet choices. Additionally, they promote 1-800-Flowers.com for gift giving and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Plans for flexible budget-friendly coverage. The speakers also mention a friend's desire to write a book and encourage him to do so. They express gratitude for their team, sponsors, and listeners, and close the podcast by reminding listeners to rate and review it.