California Logging Protesters Win Lawsuit

[chlamor]

California Logging Protesters Win Lawsuit

Friday April 29, 2005 5:16 AM

By JUSTIN M. NORTON

Associated Press Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Law enforcement officers from two northern California counties were found liable Thursday for using excessive force by swabbing pepper spray in the eyes of logging protesters in 1997. A jury awarded eight plaintiffs $1 each.

The plaintiffs laughed and hugged outside the courtroom - and applauded when jurors left their chambers.

``They did the right thing,'' said Terri Slanetz, a 42-year-old naturalist from Oakland. ``We've been trying all along to get a statement that this was illegal. It's a positive step toward people treating each other decently.''

The protesters claim their civil rights were violated when Humboldt County sheriff's deputies and Eureka police officers swabbed pepper spray directly in their eyes during the 1997 protest.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-4970750,00.html

[alittlelark]

1. Amy Goodman and KPFA have been talking about this for weeks now!!

HURRAH!!!!:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[NVMojo]

2. Yeah!!!!

[Piperay]

3. Good

justice finally served. :thumbsup:

[struggle4progress]

4. kick