Protestors Sue Detroit Police Over Allegations of Abuse, Brutality
The lawsuit follows the Aug. 22 incident where police arrested and injured Detroit protestors. In a statement, the City of Detroit called the protests a ‘nuisance.’
Anti-police brutality protesters are suing the City of Detroit, Mayor Mike Duggan and Police Chief James Craig over alleged abuses.
Protestors affiliated with the group ‘Detroit Will Breathe’ claim they have faced the very thing they are demonstrating against – police brutality. The complaint – filed in federal court – is asking for an injunction preventing DPD from using chokeholds, tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters.
In a statement, the City of Detroit called the protests a ‘nuisance.’
The latest incident was at a protest on the night of August 22nd. There were dozens of arrests, and several injuries.
Alex Anest, a medic who follows the ‘Detroit Will Breathe’ protests, says he was severely injured by police during the protest.
“I didn’t realize that my rib was broken,” Anest said. “I was then handcuffed and brought to the curb on the other side of the street and left with the other protesters who’d been arrested.”
Anest suffered a broken rib and a punctured lung. He was hospitalized for five days.
Police Chief James Craig says the police response on Aug. 22nd was necessary due to what he says was a threat by protesters to ‘occupy’ a portion of downtown Detroit.
“I am not going to let any group set up a Seattle zone of lawlessness here in the city of Detroit, that’s non-negotiable,” Craig said.
Tristan Taylor – one of the protest leaders – says that whole idea is ludicrous, saying the group did not have supplies to do what Craig claims.
“We had not even a sleeping bag,” Taylor said. “You know like to compare the two situations is kind of ridiculous.”
In a statement, the City of Detroit is planning a countersuit, calling the protests a ‘nuisance’.
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