Canister hit me in the back, the air immediately left my lungs and i was surrounded by gas

I attended a peaceful protest at the Fort Wayne Courthouse at 2pm. I stood with my sign (which was not inappropriate or threatening) chanted along and listened to people’s stories. Everything was going well until the police blocked off both sides of the road that led by the court house so no cars could see or hear us. At this point absolutely no protesters were in the street. The group decided to walk around the court house ON THE SIDEWALK to show people we wouldnt be silenced. When we got back to the front of the Courthouse the police were lined up along the road, blocking traffic, in full riot gear. So us protesters followed suit. We stood in front of them and yelled justice for George. They said over the loud speaker the WE needed to get out of the road because it was obstructing traffic. The person on the loud speaker said only that 3 times and then they deployed the first round of teargas. Kids were around, elderly people. Innocent people who weren’t prepared for the sting of the tear gas. I luckly came prepared and stayed behind to help those who couldn’t breathe.
I ended up getting gassed at least 10 more times that night.
When the group of protestors were across from the Hoppy Gnome. We were in the street, arms linked and chanting. A couple people threw empty water bottles. I yelled and begged them to stop. We can’t fight this violence with violence. They wouldnt listen to us and were just waiting for a reason to gas us. As i had my back turned to them, i was about 6 feet away when they deployed another round of tear gas. One of the canisters hit me in the back of the shoulder blade. The air immediately left my lungs and i was surrounded by gas. It was a feeling i have never felt before. I honestly thought i was going to die at the hands of the people that are supposed to protect me and my rights. Nobody should have to fear that. This is why we are angry. This is why we march!!