Berkeley City Council Cancels Special Meeting On Pepper Spray Ban

BERKELEY, CA -- The Aug. 4, 2022 special meeting of the Berkeley City Council has been cancelled.

The meeting had been scheduled to discuss whether or not to suspend a ban on tear gas, smoke and pepper spray for the duration of the Council's summer recess. The ban was enacted in June 2020.

The topic had been scheduled for discussion as the city grapples with recent clashes between protesters and police at People's Park over a planned conversion of the historic park into housing. But less than 24 hours before it was to begin, Mayor Jesse Arreguín cancelled it.

The suspension of the ban, which was requested by law enforcement, will not be considered.

"I call on all city leaders and residents to follow Mayor Arreguín’s leadership in deescalating the situation, continuing to respect the rights of peaceful protesters and neighbors, and allowing the park construction proceedings to be resolved peacefully through the courts and democratic processes," Councilmember Kate Harrison said in a statement.