kettling

American  

[ket-ling, ket-l-ing] / ˈkɛt lɪŋ, ˈkɛt l ɪŋ /

1. a crowd control technique, in which a line of police officers encircles demonstrators and confines them in a contained area known as a kettle.

   Coverage of the protests has focused on the controversial use of kettling.

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Etymology

Origin of kettling

First recorded in 2005–10; kettle ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

It creates a tiered system of protest response that prioritizes deescalation, while banning the NYPD’s practice of kettling, a controversial tactic that involves trapping and arresting large groups of demonstrators.

From Washington Times • Sep. 6, 2023

Oftentimes the police will use the bike racks to hem in protesters further, a process called kettling, which makes that cramped feeling even more extreme.

From Slate • May 22, 2023

Then-Mayor Bill de Blasio also defended kettling, with both leaders saying the tactic was necessary to fend off burglaries and chaos taking place in some Manhattan neighborhoods.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2023

Ukraine’s success in Lyman relied on a tactic known as kettling, in which troops surround a city and leave the occupied forces with few exit strategies other than surrender.

From Washington Post • Oct. 1, 2022

They were kettling people into the entrance, so there was massive queues and crushing, which was clearly a sign of things to come.

From BBC • May 30, 2022