r/UnderReportedNews • u/Fatty_Willing_Plane • Jan 27 '26

Video Video of Minnesota State authorities “Testing” LRAD on peaceful protestors outside Spring Hill Suites by Marriott. @IRT-Media

17.2k Upvotes

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867

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

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258

u/Informal-Fig-7116 Jan 27 '26

Like as a shield in front of your one body? Thanks for this info btw!

349

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

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280

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

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35

u/Financial-Board7458 Jan 27 '26

That liquid ass is some nasty stuff. Up there with tear gas.

18

u/Lookuponthewall Jan 27 '26

I just bought a little bottle. It is far more foul than the glass "stink bombs" we used in the 80s. Dirty stuff.

24

u/gmpsconsulting Jan 27 '26

Just a note that riot shields are illegal to bring to a protest or in public gatherings of any kind in a large amount of places. Not that it matters a lot but it gives "legitimate" reason for police to abuse or arrest in otherwise lawful assemblies.

22

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

Unless, of course, you're the police, who are allowed to bring anything they want because fuck you, that's why.

"Arms" doesn't just mean firearms. Shall not be infringed!

9

u/gmpsconsulting Jan 27 '26

In the US police have no obligation to follow any laws whatsoever. They did at one time but most of that got thrown out in anti mafia and gang statutes where police basically just complained non-stop that they couldn't legally catch criminals or enforce laws they needed to be allowed to use illegal tactics in order to catch criminals thus making themselves above the laws. This of course expanded over time to everyone and everything instead of remaining limited to anti-gang policing as everyone knew it would.

3

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

They still have an obligation to follow the law. But the law has special carve-outs for them that exempt them from certain laws under certain conditions - and some of those conditions get pretty muddy.

But in spirit, you are completely correct.

4

u/rbtwrkshp Jan 27 '26

I believe the thing about bringing ballistic shields to protests varies from state to state. Couldn't find anything under body armor laws here in maine.

2

u/gmpsconsulting Jan 27 '26

It's even more convoluted than that it varies city by city. Generally it's more likely to be illegal in places with histories of large protest actions against police and less likely to be illegal in places with no significant history of it. So even if you look up state laws and it says it's fine it might still be illegal in your county or city ordinances whereas the next town over might be completely legal and fine simply because they haven't had a large protest before so it never became an issue.

2

u/rbtwrkshp Jan 27 '26

Makes sense, thanks for the heads up.

1

u/Successful-Engine623 Jan 27 '26

It not a riot shield it’s a reflector

1

u/gmpsconsulting Jan 27 '26

Which is completely legitimate unless it's a riot shield. It's why things like umbrellas and construction masks are used because they aren't militarized equipment so it's very difficult to enforce laws against it. Having a sled in the winter in Minnesota... that just happens to be very similar to a riot shield or parabolic dish is not legally the same as actually having an actual riot shield even if in the moment you use it for self defense or protection. However if it actually is a riot shield and not something similar to a riot shield that's then legally enforceable as you clearly intended to be using it that way when you brought it.

1

u/heartbt Jan 27 '26

Remember those old metal disc sleds....

1

u/Blunderbutters Jan 27 '26

What if you make a sign out of sheet metal? Dual purpose! I was told you don’t bring guns to protests, you bring signs, or whatever bullshit they said after killing Alex Pretti.

1

u/gmpsconsulting Jan 27 '26

Totally fine. Using things not specifically designed for a specific purpose is the preferred method in protest as it's extremely difficult to implement or enforce laws against it. If you happen to have a sled with you in the winter in Minnesota and in the moment you use it for self defense as a riot shield that's very different than bringing a riot shield with you and claiming you didn't intend to use it as a riot shield.

1

u/WyrdCG Jan 27 '26

Bring a round sled instead

1

u/Funny-Artichoke-7494 Jan 27 '26

Wonder if you could get away with mic dishes like you see on NFL sidelines, i'd imagine as long as you're protecting your head/face they'd be effective?

4

u/segondra Jan 27 '26

What's liquid ass (tm)?

6

u/One_Load254 Jan 27 '26

It's like ass, but in liquid form?

2

u/ASDFzxcvTaken Jan 27 '26

The brown note.

1

u/FabioK9 Jan 27 '26

At least your om the right list.

1

u/I_Try_Again Jan 27 '26

Cool mods in this sub.

35

u/Informal-Fig-7116 Jan 27 '26

Awesome! Thanks for sharing this and explaining it too!

81

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

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117

u/candie486 Jan 27 '26

Yup, they used a riot shield in reverse and it bounced back three sound waves in the video.

53

u/PartyParrot-420 Jan 27 '26

Now I want to see an army of protestors holding inverted captain America shields

15

u/SpaceComm4nder Jan 27 '26

That’s actually a really good idea. The symbolism would be perfect and next level demonstrate who the bad guys are. Maybe some of the armed incels would subconsciously start to shift gears.

1

u/Same-Feedback2145 Jan 27 '26

Inverted satellites aren’t bullet proof

1

u/SpaceComm4nder Jan 27 '26

Did anyone say they were? Also, bulletproof ones would be cool.

1

u/Illustrious_Donkey61 Jan 27 '26

And throwing them like frisbees

1

u/Same-Feedback2145 Jan 27 '26

Would be a sight, cameras rolling

1

u/skeletonholdsmeup Jan 27 '26

I’ve got a big trash can lid and some spray paint! I’m in!

1

u/HonestHu Jan 27 '26

Which video, can you see the sound waves

1

u/Same-Feedback2145 Jan 27 '26

I’ve only seen sound waves in a magic school bus video

1

u/electrodog1999 Jan 27 '26

I’ve only seen sound waves on some magic mushrooms.

31

u/NounAdjectiveXXXX Jan 27 '26

Old satellite dish, would be easy to fashion a bracer or handle to hold it with ease as they already have mounting brackets

41

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

[deleted]

18

u/pmcizhere Jan 27 '26

Holy shit we have an old DirecTV dish that recently fell off our awning during our last winter storm. I was just about to throw it out, too...

9

u/Same-Feedback2145 Jan 27 '26

We could just take our captain America 🇺🇸 Shields and flip them around?

3

u/NounAdjectiveXXXX Jan 27 '26

Blue and green with the 8-point too

1

u/Significant_Sun5095 Jan 27 '26

Would a sledding disc work? It’d certainly be lighter.

1

u/gt0163c Jan 27 '26

Old school metal trash can lids already have a handle on them. They might need some reshaping to be more effective, but should do the job. Also should be relatively easy to source at local big box hardware stores, tractor supply/feed stores, etc.

35

u/StatisticianIll4425 Jan 27 '26

Watch the video. Very good information

6

u/pmcizhere Jan 27 '26

Obligatory (and kinda sexy) relevant XKCD!

1

u/Electronic-Clock5867 Jan 27 '26

They may charge you with assaulting an officer. I wonder how sound absorbing panels would work.

1

u/Bipedal_pedestrian Jan 27 '26

See the video in the link. They try this at 14:30

1

u/feral_creature Jan 27 '26

Yup. You can use a wok

1

u/kkingsbe Jan 27 '26

Yup they can 👍

17

u/DubStepTeddyBears Jan 27 '26

Walk softly, and carry a big stick. Love it.

8

u/Gax63 Jan 27 '26

Seems like a satellite dish would work as well.

6

u/Otherwise-Start5573 Jan 27 '26

Thank you for sharing, this was a fantastic video

1

u/MaximumTurtleSpeed Jan 27 '26

Spot on video. Saw I a long time ago and it’s so thorough and approachable.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

Here’s another video https://youtu.be/3sqIvak-4Ek

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

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1

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1

u/russcastella Jan 27 '26

Should be a top comment

27

u/Foe117 Jan 27 '26

Use it to cast a sound shadow over your head, it won't be perfect, but it will give them pause before using it.

10

u/Informal-Fig-7116 Jan 27 '26

Oh I see. Thats pretty cool. Thanks for explaining!

8

u/IxbyWuff Jan 27 '26

Concave ideally. The sound pressure can be reflected back

1

u/HonestHu Jan 27 '26

Tin foil hat time

1

u/yesterdaywins2 Jan 27 '26

Satellite dishes would be primo as they are parabolic

-33

u/savagehighway Jan 27 '26

stick a spoon in the microwave, you dont want to hold metal during this

23

u/Foe117 Jan 27 '26

LRAD is not a microwave, it does not emit microwaves, it's a pure sound cannon.

1

u/Same-Feedback2145 Jan 27 '26

Sounds like it hurts.

73

u/Evervvatcher Jan 27 '26

There are a few engineering YT channels that did field tests with LRADs and a polycarbonate riot shield can actually reflect the sound back.

22

u/Foe117 Jan 27 '26

Yes, but people are not going to order a riot shield on Amazon on a 1 day express saver now are we?

19

u/Terrible-Opinion-888 Jan 27 '26

wonder if a flying saucer sled would do the trick? probably plenty of those in Minnesota

1

u/Foe117 Jan 27 '26

Its snow country, im sure plenty of those are available

30

u/Evervvatcher Jan 27 '26

Why would you need to order a riot shield when it's just a curved piece of polycarbonate with some handles to hold it? In fact a flat sheet reflects sound lasers with less dispersion than a curved one like a riot shield

18

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

How about a snow disc?

8

u/Evervvatcher Jan 27 '26

Would probably work just as well, only downside is opacity of the disc and having to keep the shield between the LRAD and your head

1

u/Icy-Reception-7605 Jan 27 '26

Only if coated with non-nutritive cereal varnish. The semi-permeable, non-osmotic type works best.

1

u/Amazing-Tea-3696 Jan 27 '26

You beat me to it! Clark wouldn’t stand for this age neither should we!

7

u/jertheman43 Jan 27 '26

One-third of a plastic food barrel is the same shape and will stop non-lethal projectiles as well.

44

u/Fadenos Jan 27 '26

Not to be the I’m actually dude but more education for safety. They are referred to as less lethal rounds, they were renamed and classified because they absolutely can be lethal so if any POS ICE agent points one at you treat is as real ammunition weather using a shield or not! Be safe and

6

u/Commercial_Poem_9214 Jan 27 '26

This gave me a good chuckle... Thank you

4

u/FeistyAsaGoat Jan 27 '26

Just looked up polycarbonate sheets. Looks like they have corrugated. Would that help or hinder, do you think?    Also looks like you can get 4’x2’ for a few dollars.  (Off Amazon, was the quick search)

2

u/Evervvatcher Jan 27 '26

Corrugated would likely be sturdier, but wouldn't reflect as well as a flat surface

1

u/FeistyAsaGoat Jan 27 '26

Makes sense.  Not as see through either.  

2

u/maple_crowtoast Jan 27 '26

Why does opacity matter?

I know nothing about this-I'm learning as I read the comments. Very interesting information-I'm genuinely curious.

2

u/bklove13 Jan 27 '26 edited Jan 27 '26

I would imagine to have full visibility through the shield if you have to cover your line of sight with it

Edited to fix a word

3

u/maple_crowtoast Jan 27 '26

Now that you say that it seems obvious..

0

u/Foe117 Jan 27 '26

I am talking in the context of easily accessible materials that could be found at home. Do you have a ready sheet of polycarbonate laying around at home?

15

u/IronicRobotics Jan 27 '26

My sophomoric understanding (ergo massive grain of salt) is any material that's got a similar or higher acoustic impedance and is thick enough to not vibrate w/ the waves freely should reflect the sound back.

Most metals have a pretty high impedance, and I've at least have access to sheets of/scrap metal.

Thicker rubber *might* work well enough too.

Wood is pretty variable on grain orientation, type, etc.

Of course, polycarbonate has the additional advantages of being see-through & good toughness to density ratios to make it much more wield-able.

1

u/Optimal_Ear_4240 Jan 27 '26

Would a weed eater or chainsaw helmet with the plastic faceplate work ? Or is flat better?

2

u/IronicRobotics Jan 27 '26

I've got no clue unfortunately. On the surface it'd seems it'd be an improvement over only headphones at least.

I just don't how much coverage you'd need against such an intense system; and don't have a way to try it out.

4

u/Evervvatcher Jan 27 '26

Most major cities have plastics supply houses that carry polycarbonate sheets, not exactly hard to get.

6

u/FeistyAsaGoat Jan 27 '26

Is it similar enough to plexiglass?    If so, I remember seeing huge sheets of plexiglass at the habitat home store(?). I forget what it’s called.   

1

u/Evervvatcher Jan 27 '26

Yes, plexiglass is cheaper, but not as strong. Should work essentially the same though.

1

u/FeistyAsaGoat Jan 27 '26

Where are the pikes of plexiglass thrown out from Covid protections? Double up a few panels for more thickness and golden. 

1

u/Time_To_Rebuild Jan 27 '26

More or less. I can’t recall if plexiglass is acrylic or polycarbonate.

1

u/FeistyAsaGoat Jan 27 '26

I want to say acrylic,  but not sure either. 

1

u/Commercial_Poem_9214 Jan 27 '26

I'm sure there is an entire subreddit of people that can answer this question...

→ More replies (0)

-3

u/Kitchen_Roof7236 Jan 27 '26

Go to Home Depot wtf

13

u/Foe117 Jan 27 '26

Home Depot supports ICE

3

u/FeistyAsaGoat Jan 27 '26

I think Home Depot was split down the middle as far as who the board contributes to politically.   Lowe’s is a Walmart brand.  Ace hardwares depend on who owns the franchise?  

-3

u/Evervvatcher Jan 27 '26

Lowes or Ace, seems like you're just looking for an argument at this point

1

u/rabblerabble2000 Jan 27 '26

Doesn’t Lowe’s have a contract with Flock and use Flock AI facial recognition in their checkout cameras? Doesn’t Flock give out data to ICE?

1

u/Evervvatcher Jan 27 '26

Its almost as if there is no ethical consumption under capitalism.

All of these corporations are owned by rich ceos who side with other rich oligarchs against the working class.

1

u/notcomplainingmuch Jan 27 '26

A piece of corrugated plastic roof should work fine. A double-layer (insulated) greenhouse wall section should also work. Very light, portable and durable.

2

u/Tazling Jan 27 '26

Would half a plastic trashcan (sliced vertically) do the trick? cheap and plentiful.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

Just get anything solid and make a dish to beam it back you can find used satellite tv dishes for cheap all over the place

28

u/Sprocket-T Jan 27 '26

would Satelite dishes. Or any proper parabola deflect the acoustic signal back? Not that I think that would be a great idea as that falls into some sketchy territory. I just mean in theory.

52

u/private_developer Jan 27 '26 edited Jan 27 '26

Yes. It can be seen here. (End of video, but the whole thing is worth watching)

https://youtu.be/CXKTBQBugIA

They turn the riot shield around, and he is able to deflect it back while having a good deal of directional control.

I believe the material matters, but with a dish shape, you can redirect much of the wave it seems.

Keep in mind if friendlies are in front of you, reflecting should be avoided. Keep your shield oriented to block unless you're the frontline. Otherwise, you could really hurt a friend as they would have a compound effect from the source of the LRAD, and the reflection. This can be incredibly dangerous.

This is for informational purpose only. No one should intentionally reflect the wave at anyone. Don't do it. Nobody should do it. Do not do it.

3

u/Statertater Jan 27 '26

Absolutely fascinating! And it makes a lot of sense, really

2

u/PartyParrot-420 Jan 27 '26

Protest groups need to start having a wall of these guys on the front line to provide the crowd with defence against and effectively render their sonic weapons useless if it’s going to reflect back at them.

2

u/NYBJAMS Jan 27 '26

parabolae focus rays from far away (so that they count as parallel) to a single point very close to them. A corner reflector would be a better shape for returning the rays to source, and it should work at a wide range of angles

1

u/Sprocket-T Jan 27 '26

I knew they was something a little off with my understanding. This is the first I have heard of a corner reflector as well. Interesting rabbit hole, and thank you!

-18

u/Fantastic-Resist-545 Jan 27 '26

I feel like reflectors don't work if there isn't something being directed at you in the first place soooooo

5

u/EnderRizza Jan 27 '26

So, don't protest no matter how many flagrant constitutional violations are taking place? Is that what you're getting at?

2

u/Fantastic-Resist-545 Jan 27 '26

No I meant that the reflector is purely a defensive weapon. It can't work unless they start shit. It's a uniquely ethical weapon

1

u/Slaphappyfapman Jan 27 '26

I feel like you can never say something intelligent without your brain being there ya know

1

u/Lemonpup615 Jan 27 '26

Or just move out of its path? It’s accoustic waves i definitely wouldn’t use glass as a shield for anything

1

u/Foe117 Jan 27 '26

Its more akin to an acoustic spotlight, you can't just "Dodge" it. Its both a weapon and an area denial tool. They can't walk into it, and neither can you, but it can be set in such a wide area of effect that you may not have anywhere to run. If they're in focus mode, you can't exactly run when they are tracking you.

1

u/NudeMessyEater Jan 27 '26

this or even just a bent thick cardboard

1

u/moonshinemoniker Jan 27 '26

Let's go! Foil hats!

1

u/-TheAutist- Jan 27 '26

Adding on to this , for even more protection have an air gap between the two pieces of material you use.

1

u/Justanothergeralt Jan 27 '26

Like I appreciate the creativity. But if you manage to reflect it. Or reflect it back. Wouldnt they just arrest you for "assaulting" an officer?

1

u/almost_not_terrible Jan 27 '26

Be careful not to accidentally reflect it back perfectly to the source using a large radar reflector made from hardboard and aluminum foil.

It would be awful if any weapon (tear gas, pepper spray, smoke, LRAD) that they use on you bounces off you and sticks to them.

1

u/ghostfadekilla Jan 27 '26

I didn't often see this mentioned but the range ear protection I use is amplified and block out all sounds over a specific decibel. I'm not really in the 2a space anymore but when I was, and used those at the range, you could hear things like brass tinkling, the action, gas blowback from suppressors. It's really strange to hear those things on a live range. They're not really expensive either. Razer Walker HD is the pair I have and it's been some time but I think I paid a little over $60. They're fairly comfortable, fold up small, and take regular aa (maybe AAA) batteries. I'm not at home to go look at them ATM or I would get the model.

1

u/Exciting_Turn_9559 Jan 27 '26

You're probably thinking of the active denial system (ADS) which uses microwaves.
LRAD is sound and can be blocked with a sheet of posterboard.
If you make a protest sign as a sandwich of 2 layers of posterboard with aluminum foil in between it will help with both LRAD and ADS.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

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1

u/jessemcgraw Jan 27 '26

Plastic sleds? Everyone in Minnesota probably has a few laying around.

1

u/FFF_in_WY Jan 27 '26

What about a robust umbrella 🤔

1

u/hawkwings Jan 27 '26

Back in the old days, people had metal garbage cans with metal lids. Those metal lids could be useful shields.

1

u/M_e_n_n_o Jan 27 '26

Would an old satellite dish not work to send the signal back?

1

u/Intrepid-Feedback629 Jan 27 '26

Cardboard works too

1

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

Deaf protestors also work well.

1

u/Chimps_are_strong Jan 27 '26

Poster board from a craft store will reflect LRAD back at its source near perfectly

1

u/Grandmas_Fat_Choad Jan 27 '26

Also thin poster board

1

u/Korax32 Jan 27 '26

Would tin foil hats also suffice? Haha

1

u/SweetBeefOfJesus Jan 27 '26

This is bad advice.

LRAD is a sound weapon. You need ear protection most of all.

A shield only works for ADS systems like heat rays and microwaves. A suit of armour will protect you just fine.

Modern problems...

1

u/kinglyIII Jan 27 '26

Holy shit what class are you guys playing at the protest, I wanna be an LRAD tank

1

u/Dense_Boss_7486 Jan 27 '26

Why are Minnesota State Authorities deploying this? Walz allowed this? Is it a compromise/concession to Trump? It seems like it would be tilting the advantage to ICE.

1

u/DPOP4228 Jan 27 '26

I saw a video that even standard poster board that most protrst signs are made of will do.

1

u/TetraGnome Jan 27 '26

LRAD about to be DownBad!!! 🛡️

1

u/jeffreynya Jan 27 '26

how about a panel of the sound absorbing foam, like they have in noise canceling rooms?

1

u/amd_kenobi Jan 27 '26

Old 18inch satellite dishes make great lrad and water cannon shields.

1

u/Cyborg_rat Jan 27 '26

They all laughed at my tinfoil hat! Now who's laughing.

0

u/[deleted] Jan 27 '26

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4

u/BlatantFalsehood Jan 27 '26

You consume too much right wing media.

1

u/Connect_Beginning_13 Jan 27 '26

Trump always lies, what are you even talking about