Sixty BLM protesters file lawsuit against Chicago Police claiming they were subjected to 'brutal and violent' treatment during demonstrations over death of George Floyd
At least 60 Chicago protesters have filed a lawsuit against Chicago Police claiming they were brutally attacked and falsely arrested during demonstrations over the death of unarmed black man George Floyd.
The 205-page lawsuit, which was filed in federal court on Thursday, alleges that officers responded to lawful demonstrations 'with brutal, violent, and unconstitutional tactics that were clearly intended to injure, silence, and intimidate Plaintiffs and other protesters.'
The suit lists the city of Chicago, Police Superintendent David Brown, and dozens of named and unnamed officers as defendants.
The protesters allege police tackled them, beat them with batons, trapped them in enclosed areas, and used chemical agents against them.
The lawsuit furthers says officers also destroyed or confiscated protesters' belongings including glasses, cameras and backpacks.
At least 60 Chicago protesters have filed a lawsuit against Chicago Police claiming they were brutally attacked and falsely arrested during demonstrations over the death of unarmed black man George Floyd on May 25. Activists are seen clashing with cops in the city on May 30
Police and protesters face off in Chicago on May 30
A Chicago Police Department officer is seen standing with a baton beside a burning vehicle on May 30
Chicago's law department has not yet been served with the lawsuit, according to spokeswoman, Kathleen Fieweger.
However, she told The Associated Press in a statement: 'It is important to remember that these are allegations at this stage and not proof. We will review the complaint thoroughly, and each allegation it contains, once we have been served and respond through the courts as appropriate.'
Over the summer, Police Superintendent Brown defended the actions of his officers who responded to what he called a 'concerted effort' by crowds of protesters to provoke a violent confrontation with police.
Brown claimed that some protesters donned gas masks, changed clothes to hide their identities, and threw bottles and other projectiles at officers.
Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown (pictured) is named as one of the defendants on the lawsuit. He has defended the actions of his officers
Chicago police officers stand guard on street in Chicago on May 30
'From what I saw, they only took appropriate action when confronted with violence,' he said of the police response.
The department is under intense scrutiny for the actions of police during protests which were sparked by the death of Floyd in in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.
Earlier this month, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), which investigates allegations of police misconduct, said it has received more than 500 civilian complaints related to protests. COPA has said 170 protest-related investigations are ongoing.
The plaintiffs in the current case are represented by the attorneys with Northwestern University's law school Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center and its Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic, and others.
The attorneys say the mistreatment of the protesters is part of a history of police brutality and abuse that dates back well over a century, including race riots in 1919 and the violent confrontations during protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
According to the lawsuit, police also used excessive force and made false arrests in March 2016 during protests outside an auditorium at the University of Illinois-Chicago where then-presidential candidate Donald Trump was scheduled to speak. His appearance was canceled due to security concerns.
'The Chicago Police Department's response to the summer 2020 protests is consistent with their longstanding policies and practices of using abusive tactics and excessive force against protesters,' the lawsuit asserts.
Hundreds of people were arrested during the protests, which began on March 26.
At the height of tensions, as cops clashed with demonstrators, Mayor Lori Lightfoot called in the Illinois National Guard for the first time in 52 years.
While most protesters were peaceful, there was instances of riots, looting and arson, with economic damage exceeding $125 million.
A Chicago police vehicle is set on fire during violent protests and bricks are hurled at it on May 30
While most protesters were peaceful, there was instances of riots, looting and arson, with economic damage exceeding $125 million
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