Riots or unlawful assemblies occur when
crowds[?] of people have gathered and are committing
crimes or acts of
violence.
Dispersing violent crowds is typically a task for the police, although widespread rioting may require military support. One reason unstable countries typically have paramilitary forces is because without them, rioting would be a daily occurrence.
To control riots often non-lethal weapons are used, such as water cannons[?], rubber bullets, flexible baton rounds and riot control agent.
Deadly force is used in some repressive countries to stop riots, particularly if martial law is declared or in a country at war. This is generally permissible under the laws of war so long as nonparticipating civilians are not intended targets. Collateral damage is a usual result.
See also police paramilitary military, Riot Act, Demonstration, Riot control agent, CS gas, Plastic bullet, Rubber bullet, Molotov cocktail, Race riot, Anarchism, Black bloc, Hooliganism
Articles about historical riots: Cochabamba protests of 2000, Gordon riots, Haymarket Riot, Kent State massacre Lager Beer Riot, Nika riots, Republic Steel Strike Riot Newsreel Footage, Stonewall Riots, Tulsa Race Riot, Zoot Suit Riots, 1992 civil unrest in Los Angeles
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