house Bill H.R. 4270
Should U.S. Companies be Prohibited From Selling Non-Lethal Crowd Control Items (Like Tear Gas) to the Hong Kong Police?
Argument in favor
American-made crowd control items have been heavily used in the Hong Kong police’s efforts to suppress peaceful demonstrations in Hong Kong. This is especially troubling in light of reports that tear gas in particular has been misused, raising risks of death and serious injury. Until the Hong Kong protests are settled, American companies shouldn’t be allowed to export crowd control items that could be misused or used to suppress peaceful protests to Hong Kong.
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10/14/2019
Yes, the people of Hong Kong stand for democracy, which is exactly what the US should consider as one of its core values. We should not be helping a communist regime suppress the free speech of its people.
10/14/2019
We shouldn’t be helping oppression regimes ANYWHERE! I don’t give a flying duck about some murder manufacturing corporations profit. Eff Em.
10/14/2019
We should not be supporting the Chinese government in any way with regard to Hong Kong! Our policy should be non-interference on all levels except statements in direct diplomatic meetings that would inform China of the possible impacts of its decisions on its trading with us and our NATO allies. We need to respect other nations’ handling of their own internal activities, and any protests should be made through the UN. We must reestablish a climate of respect for other countries borders and their right to govern as their peoples see fit. Strengthening the voice of the UN, and acting through the UN and NATO should be our policy. It is time to end our aggressive “nation-building” and become an influential partner with other countries in promoting worldwide change. And the change can begin right here in our own country! With our own house in such disorder we are in NO position to guide or instruct others!!🇺🇸
Argument opposed
Hong Kong’s unrest is a domestic matter for the Chinese government to resolve as it sees fit. The Chinese government, like any other sovereign nation, is within its rights to handle domestic protests and unrest as it sees fit and to use necessary tools — such as crowd control gear and tear gas — to that end. Given the fragile state of trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, it’d be a bad idea to risk angering the Chinese government before trade talks conclude.
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10/14/2019
Although we might not like what’s going on elsewhere in the world our government has NO business restricting free enterprise without going through the proper channels to restrict trade with these other countries! Even then this may not bring about the desired changes as THEY have a right to run their country as they wish! Hence why we have politicians to actually talk and use diplomatic means of correcting any violations in human rights that these countries are committing. Additionally, politicians should be working with our allies to put additional pressure on these rogue governments!!!
10/14/2019
Limited effectiveness. Why not open the door to political asylum for refugees?
10/14/2019
While I emphasize with the situation, I don’t think we have the moral authority to be the world’s conscience.
Yes, the people of Hong Kong stand for democracy, which is exactly what the US should consider as one of its core values. We should not be helping a communist regime suppress the free speech of its people.
Although we might not like what’s going on elsewhere in the world our government has NO business restricting free enterprise without going through the proper channels to restrict trade with these other countries! Even then this may not bring about the desired changes as THEY have a right to run their country as they wish! Hence why we have politicians to actually talk and use diplomatic means of correcting any violations in human rights that these countries are committing. Additionally, politicians should be working with our allies to put additional pressure on these rogue governments!!!
We should not be supporting the Chinese government in any way with regard to Hong Kong! Our policy should be non-interference on all levels except statements in direct diplomatic meetings that would inform China of the possible impacts of its decisions on its trading with us and our NATO allies. We need to respect other nations’ handling of their own internal activities, and any protests should be made through the UN. We must reestablish a climate of respect for other countries borders and their right to govern as their peoples see fit. Strengthening the voice of the UN, and acting through the UN and NATO should be our policy. It is time to end our aggressive “nation-building” and become an influential partner with other countries in promoting worldwide change. And the change can begin right here in our own country! With our own house in such disorder we are in NO position to guide or instruct others!!🇺🇸
We shouldn’t be helping oppression regimes ANYWHERE! I don’t give a flying duck about some murder manufacturing corporations profit. Eff Em.
👉👉100 Percent! All persons Globally deserve to have Democracy and a voice. Stand with Hong Kong!👈👈
American-made crowd control items have been heavily used in the Hong Kong police’s efforts to suppress peaceful demonstrations in Hong Kong. This is especially troubling in light of reports that tear gas in particular has been misused, raising risks of death and serious injury. Until the Hong Kong protests are settled, American companies shouldn’t be allowed to export crowd control items that could be misused or used to suppress peaceful protests to Hong Kong.
The USA must stand up for the people of Hong Kong and Freedom of Speech.
While I emphasize with the situation, I don’t think we have the moral authority to be the world’s conscience.
Limited effectiveness. Why not open the door to political asylum for refugees?
America must stand for the democratic principles of representation of the people’s voice in leadership. It isn’t democracy if the voice of the people is drowned in tear gas and then imprisoned or murdered.
I support The people of Hong Kong. Pretty sure we are not the only ones that can supply teargas. This is kind a like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound. Let’s try a little harder and come up with something much better.
American-made crowd control items have been heavily used in the Hong Kong police’s efforts to suppress peaceful demonstrations in Hong Kong. This is especially troubling in light of reports that tear gas in particular has been misused, raising risks of death and serious injury. Until the Hong Kong protests are settled, American companies shouldn’t be allowed to export crowd control items that could be misused or used to suppress peaceful protests to Hong Kong.
Representatives,
Strongly Support HR 4270
Even if one truly believes that the USA should stay out of the internal affairs of other countries then the US government should not allow the sale of American made crowd control devices to any foreign government. In particular the government should prohibit commercial exportation of all lethal and nonlethal crowd control items and defense articles and services to the Hong Kong Disciplined Services, or to other Chinese governmental entities for any purpose.
Personally, I believe the Hong Kong crackdown should be condemned in no uncertain terms.
Unfortunately, we have a president so morally bankrupt he can't even denounce the video in which he is depicted as killing political opponents and journalists. He has no moral voice at all.
We need the bipartisan of Congress to do what is right: prevent the sale of all crowd control devices and denounce crackdown on the protestors.
Yes because those are often used to hurt and injure protesters who are completely within their rights to do so
Hong Kong protesters are fighting for the same freedom we did. We should not hinder their fight.
If these items were not sold by US Companies, China would make them and sell them to the rest of the world , including The Hong Kong Police , better and cheaper!!
The real question is how could we as Americans, help our bothers and sisters in Hong Kong to influence The Chinese in establishing a better “One Country two system”!!
Colonialism is wrong and foreign interference is China’s dilemma is helpful only if wisdom and compassion prevail! This far, the wisdom of Xi Jinping, has been extraordinary! The US in the same situation would have had the Police attest all of the rioters the first day!
But influencing a transition of development and democracy in Hong Kong , a Chinese city in China, must not devolve into meaningless gestures of sanctions by prohibiting the sale of tear gas.
This year we have caused the instability of Syrian Kurds by abandoning them to Turkeys hostility; we have caused the refugee cris in Venezuela by crippling sanctions; we have contributed to the deaths of thousands of Yemenis by supplying logistics and arms to The Saudis!!
Let’s concentrate our energy on creating a democracy here where a recession may hit us within the next 22 months! Let’s stop Trump and his White Supremacy system of violence and oppression of our own citizens and residents!! Tear gas sanctions to the Chinese should be the least of our concerns!! Hong Kong is not Charlotte North Carolina!!
I think we are on the brink of WWIII! We have a Despot leader, spineless politicians, puppet military, tariff war, broken laws, baby jails and we are seen by allies as turn coats. We are losers as a nation and we are selling chemicals to hold back people wanting positive change. Shame on any politician in this country who sells tear gas. I stand with the protestors!
Stop the spread of communism. Say no here and put your foot down.
I support the protesters but this too far. Removing nonviolent means will put the protesters at more risk and create problems in the future