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Denver Police Order Veritas Launchers For Convention Protests

By Jeralyn

SWAT (Security with Advanced Technology) has let the cat out of the bag on some of the weapons purchased by the Denver Police Department for the August Democratic Convention:

Security With Advanced Technology, Inc. (NasdaqCM:SWAT - News) reported that its Veritas Tactical business segment has received a purchase order from the City and County of Denver, for the Company's recently introduced rifle launcher and pistol launcher as well as projectiles and associated accessories.

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The purchase order includes 88 of the new Mark IV launchers representing approximately 80% of the order and the PO totals in the low six figures. The Denver Police Department conducted extensive testing and evaluation of the launchers prior to placing the purchase order and has requested delivery in advance of the upcoming Democratic National Convention to be held in Denver in August.

The Rocky Mountain News has more.

The ACLU of Colorado has filed a civil lawsuit to determine the weapons purchased to be used against the protesters. Denver received $18 million of a $50 million federal grant for convention security.

There is concern among protest groups that one of those under consideration is a high-frequency sonic weapon that causes people in range to involuntarily defecate.

Political activists planning protest rallies at the upcoming Democratic Convention in Denver have their stomachs in knots over a rumor about a crowd control weapon - known as the “crap cannon” - that might be unleashed against them.

Also called “Brown Note,” it is believed to be an infrasound frequency that debilitates a person by making them defecate involuntarily.

There is some disupte over whether the "Brown Note" actually causes that response. Protest groups seem more concerned by this weapon:

More troubling to [Recreate 68's Glenn] Spangnuolo is the “Active Denial System” or “ADS,” a ray gun used to send high levels of microwave frequencies that cause a burning sensation the skin. He described ADS as an “indiscriminate weapon” and said “there’s no long-term testing on what happens to the body when exposed to those kinds of microwave frequencies.”

Spagnuolo believes that Raytheon, the company that manufactures the weapon, is planning to test a limited-range civilian version on protesters in Denver before approving its use in places like Iraq.

For more information on protest activities, here's Come Up To Denver.

If you'd like a more positive view of what Denver has to offer during the convention, here's one of my favorites -- I especially like the snowboarders and skiers towards the end (1:22 seconds in):

Full post as published by TalkLeft on June 17, 2008 (boomark / email).