A civil rights complaint has been filed against the City of Berkeley by a group of eleven demonstrators and journalists who are claiming damages for alleged “unconstitutional police attacks on peaceful protesters and journalists” during the violent Black Lives Matter protests that took place on December 6 of 2014.
According to Berkeleyside, the suit is being brought against the city of Berkeley, the city of Hayward, former Berkeley City Manager Christine Daniel, Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan, and 13 other named police officers in federal court.
The complaint reportedly asserts that “Berkeley Police responded brutally, clubbing peaceful protesters and journalists, often from behind, some in the head, indiscriminately and unnecessarily; and using profligate amounts of teargas without justification.”
The peaceful protesters had torched a police car and raided local businesses. Similarly, in Ferguson, Missouri, rioting during Black Lives Matter protests wound up costing tax payers upwards of $5.7 million in damages.
The plaintiffs want to claim damages for “pain, suffering, humiliation, emotional distress, fear, anxiety, disabilities, medical and related expenses [and] lost wages.”
According to Berkeleyside, the plaintiffs include activists and San Francisco Chronicle photojournalist Sam Wolson.
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