Riot

Riots in Newark, New Jersey

Riots or unlawful assemblies occur when crowds of people have gathered and are committing crimes or acts of violence.

Dispersing violent crowds is usually a task for the police, although widespread rioting may require military support. Unstable countries typically have paramilitary forces because rioting would be a daily occurrence without them.

Non-lethal weapons, such as water cannons, rubber bullets, flexible baton rounds and riot control agent, are often used to control riots.

Some repressive countries use deadly force 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

• Riot control: police, Riot control agent, paramilitary, military,
• Riot laws: Riot Act, Black Act
• Tools of Riot: CS gas, Plastic bullet, Rubber bullet, Molotov cocktail,
• Types of Riot: Race riot, Police riot, Anarchism, Black bloc, Hooliganism.
• List of riots

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