Related Legal Docs
(June 11, 2011)
Related Issues
Free Speech Police Misconduct
Related Press Coverage
The Partnership for Civil Justice Fund has joined with National Lawyers
Guild attorneys in filing a federal class action lawsuit against the
Oakland Police Department and other agencies. The lawsuit, filed June
13, 2011, challenges the unconstitutional mass arrest of 150 protestors
demonstrating against the light sentence given to Office Johnannes
Mehserle, the BART police officer who killed Oscar Grant.
On November 5, 2010, the police stopped the lawful First Amendment
protected activity, forced protestors onto a side street, where without
warning, demonstrators and bystanders were trapped, detained, prevented
from dispersing, and arrested without probable cause. Those arrested
were held in abusive conditions of confinement, for up to 24 hours in
overcrowded holding cells without cots or even room to lie on the floor.
Women who were arrested were forced to undergo pregnancy testing. None
of the class members were ever charged.
The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief as well as monetary damages. The complaint may be read here.
