Boston Mayor Kim Janey today signed a city ordinance restricting police use of tear gas and rubber bullets.

Rahsaan Hall, racial justice program director at the ACLU of Massachusetts, today released the following statement in response:

“The ACLU applauds Mayor Janey for signing this ordinance, and we thank Councilors Arroyo and Campbell for their continued commitment to overhauling police practices. Tear gas and rubber bullets are dangerous, indiscriminate, and intended to cause acute pain. Across the country and here in Boston, these weapons have notably been used against protesters demanding racial justice. Restricting their use is just one part of the much larger work that must continue in order to achieve public safety for us all. It’s time to concretely reduce the role, responsibilities, and power of the police.”