The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court on behalf of seven activists, could be the first of several legal actions seeking compensatory and punitive damages from the city for alleged civil-rights violations Aug. 1 and 2, lawyers said. But the lawyers also said they did not know when future lawsuits might be filed or how much money the activists might seek.
Officers believe that they're free to do whatever they choose on the city streets.
Police spokeswoman Lt. Susan Slawson declined to comment, citing department policy on pending litigation. I'm confident they conducted themselves properly. The vast majority were picked up Aug. 1, during clashes with police. The plaintiffs cited cases in which police officers surrounded medics on a street without provocation and, without presenting a warrant, searched their bags and forced them to empty out the water or rubbing alcohol they carried.