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A new class action lawsuit charges the NYPD of using excessive force on Black Lives Matter demonstrators following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
It was the video that enraged the nation, former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin seen pinning the already handcuffed Mr. Floyd to the ground with his knee on his neck for at least eight minutes and 15 seconds. Millions watched as Mr. Floyd died on video.
The scene sparked mass demonstrations nationwide, including in New York where plaintiffs say they were met with “demoralizing and brutal shows of force, rather than genuine efforts to facilitate protesters’ protected First Amendment activity.” The class action lawsuit is now taking aim at both the police department and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
According to the complaint, BLM protesters were subjected to pepper spray, struck with batons, and trapped by NYPD officers. One plaintiff, a 48-year-old woman, says she was brutalized by an officer who had tape over his badge number, according to gothamist. She details the disturbing incident alleging she was thrown to the ground and on top of other women who were also being brutalized. While the plaintiff was eventually charged with violating curfew, the class action lawsuit says that the charges were dropped by prosecutors.
The NYPD police brutality class action lawsuit is looking to represent anyone who was arrested or brutalized during any BLM protest since May 28, 2020. The plaintiffs argue that the police department and mayor violated New York residents’ rights and they’re seeking monetary damages on behalf of the proposed Class.
New York’s Mayor Apologizes, NYPD Does Not
Mayor Bill de Blasio released a video apologizing for how the NYPD handled BLM protesters saying in part, “i’m sorry I didn’t do better and I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons and I want our police department to do better, and I’m gonna insist upon that.”
A Law Department spokesperson responded to the class action lawsuit by defending the NYPD’s actions.
“A deadly pandemic and the murder of George Floyd contributed to a perfect storm of challenges for our city,” the city’s Law Department reportedly said. “The NYPD has a longstanding track record of successfully protecting the right of the public to protest while ensuring public safety, and is committed to strengthening those efforts.”
This is far from the first legal action filed accusing the NYPD of excessive force on protesters. Just last week New York Attorney General Tish James filed a lawsuit against the police department accusing officers of violating New Yorkers civil rights, according to the gothamist. The New York Attorney General is calling for changes to the department’s policies.
Demonstrators in the Bronx are echoing the same notions in a police violence class action lawsuit filed after peaceful protests were allegedly broken up by officers using batons, pepper spray, and other means to assault “Black and Latinx” people. Plaintiffs who were demonstrating after Floyd’s death claim that many of them left the area “injured and bleeding,” while others fainted, lost consciousness or convulsed amid being brutalized by the NYPD.
Civil rights organizations have also named the NYPD in excessive force class action lawsuits claiming that protesters that took to the streets demanding police reform “repeatedly were met with the very pattern of police violence they marched to end.”
Did you participate in any BLM protests in the summer of 2020? Did you experience any excessive force or brutality from police? Tell us your story in the comment section below!
The lead plaintiffs and proposed Class Members are represented by Jonathan Moore.
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