Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: Eardrum-Blasting Sound Cannon Coming to a Protest Near You?
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 29, 2009
Modified Sep 29, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Sep 29, 2009
Modified Sep 29, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Have you seen this intense outtake from Children of Men, showing riot police blasting "fugees" with some sort of horrible "sound cannon"? Oh, actually, this isn't from a fictional movie about a dystopian police state; it's from last week in Pittsburgh, where G20 protesters had dared assemble without a permit from the government. For that, they were dispersed with the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), which some fear is loud enough to damage eardrums and even cause fatal aneurysms. Like Freedom Rock, you really need to turn it up, man:
This is the first time police have used the LRAD against civilians; it was developed by the military and previously deployed against Somali pirates and Iraqi insurgents. And Pittsburgh police bureau chief tells the New York Times, "Other law enforcement agencies will be watching to see how it was used. It served its purpose well." Better bring some earplugs to the next Critical Mass ride.
But the Daily Show's Jon Stewart wasn't too impressed by the LRAD, and wondered whether protesters would be dispersed, or merely forced to cover their ears: "They're anarchists; do you know what kind of music these people listen to? That cannon is probably their ringtone by now!" Maybe authorities need the pain ray to really make a dent? Below, the full Daily Show segment on the G20 summit, and another disturbing video showing laughing Pittsburgh cops gathering for a trophy photo with a kneeling, handcuffed protester. [Via Boing Boing, Animal]
The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10cPittsburgh Irateswww.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show
Full EpisodesPolitical HumorHealthcare Protests
Tagged
demonstrators
G20
pittsburgh
protest
sound cannon
video
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
GOP candidates in NY face a changed landscape on immigration
The 'migrant crisis' has changed markedly since the voters went to the polls two years ago.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 28, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Mamdani plans redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue after nurse killed in hit-and-run
Sunset Park residents and street safety advocates have called on city officials to make the avenue safer for years.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
Mamdani plans redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue after nurse killed in hit-and-run
Sunset Park residents and street safety advocates have called on city officials to make the avenue safer for years.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
NJ Gov. Sherrill: Election is secure, noncitizens taken off voter rolls
By
Michael Sol Warren
Ex-NYPD officer again faces murder charge in George Washington Bridge shooting
By
Samantha Max
Former NYC buildings boss helped reopen mayor's favored restaurant despite health violations
By
David Brand
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .