Legal and human rights organizations in Australia have expressed serious concerns regarding the escalating use of pepper spray and other police weaponry during protests. The scrutiny comes after incidents during a protest opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Sydney, prompting the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission to investigate police actions. Activists claim that these measures infringe on civil liberties and the right to peaceful assembly.

Photographer Xavier Diekman recounts his distressing experience of being pepper-sprayed at close range, describing the intense pain and shock from the incident. Diekman highlighted the immediate physical consequences, including blurriness in his vision and difficulties breathing, painting a stark picture of the potential hazards posed by such tools in crowd control situations. This incident has spotlighted the broader issue of police conduct and equipment in relation to public protests.

In response to mounting pressure from civil rights advocates, there are calls for a comprehensive review of police tactics concerning crowd control, with some groups even advocating for a complete ban on the use of pepper spray and similar deterrents. The implications of these discussions could significantly affect law enforcement policies and their approach to handling protests in the future, balancing public safety with the rights of citizens to gather and express their views peacefully.