Black Lives Matter, protesters sue Seattle over SPD 'unnecessary violence' against protesters
Seattle Post-Intelligencer logoBlack Lives Matter, protesters sue Seattle over SPD 'unnecessary violence' against protesters
Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, several protesters and a journalist are suing the city alleging Seattle police used "unnecessary violence" against peaceful protesters who have been marching for days against police brutality.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the U.S District Court Western District of Washington by lawyers from Perkins Coie, the American Civil Liberties Union and Seattle University School of Law after Mayor Jenny Durkan and Police Chief Carmen Best have come under intense scrutiny over the past week as SPD has used tear gas, flashbangs and pepper spray on hundreds of protesters night after night.
The lawsuit alleges the city has violated protesters' First and Fourth Amendment rights.
"In response to these protests, the SPD has exercised an overwhelming and unconstitutional use of force to discourage these protesters from exercising their constitutional rights," the lawsuit said. "On almost nightly basis, the SPD has indiscriminately used excessive force against protesters, legal observers, journalists, and medical personnel."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/black-lives-matter-protesters-sue-seattle-over-spd-unnecessary-violence-against-protesters/ar-BB15g2S7?ocid=hplocalnews