Police Chief Brian Manley subsequently announced that Austin officers would stop firing less lethal projectiles into crowds. However, Manley said officers would still use them in other instances. Some question the use of the less lethal weapons in any circumstance, calling them inhumane and brutal.
LBJ's Peniel Joseph (misidentified in the story as Joseph Peniel) said the use of less lethal weapons that cause massive external and internal injury is "excessive force against groups of protesters who have been largely peaceful."
"We need to talk about the impact and the trauma in black communities and communities of color with being hit with rubber bullets," he said. "It's been hugely, hugely negative and amplifies the thinking that law enforcement serves as an occupying force that is there to really patrol racially segregated and economically impoverished ghettos in the United States."
Joseph said he'd like to see Manley stop the use of tear gas and pepper spray, in addition to less lethal ammunition, in all instances during Austin protests.