Springdale police had pepper spray at student walkout
At least one Springdale police officer held pepper spray as he observed an anti-ICE high school student walkout on Tuesday.
SPRINGDALE, Ark.—At least one Springdale Police Department officer was armed with pepper spray as officers observed high school students take part in anti-ICE walkouts on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Police did not deploy the pepper spray, but it is visible in one officer's hands in photos from the event provided to Arkansas GRITA. The pepper spray appears to be Sabre 5.0, which is sold only to "public safety agencies," according to Sabre's website.
A Springdale Police Department spokesperson confirmed that pepper spray was "out but not deployed" at the protest. The department has not yet responded to questions about protocols, safety, or reasoning. Arkansas GRITA has reached out to Springdale Public Schools for comment.
