A lawsuit has been filed and seeks class action status against the city and its police department alleging civil rights violations and use of excessive force at the MacArthur Park May Day pro-immigration rally. The lawsuit claims the LAPD used batons and foam bullets without discretion.
It claims the LAPD over-reacted to a small group of roudy protesters acting in response to the presence of officers in riot gear. Nearly 600 officers were on hand and the LAPD outnumbered this small group of protesters nearly 15 to 1. The suit claims no attempt was made to isolate the group and permit the lawful assembly to continue.
The lawsuit claims the LAPD used an unwarranted and unlawful show of force against peaceful participants to intimidate them into foregoing the lawful exercise of their First Amendment rights. It claimed an announcement from a police helicopter ordering the protesters to disperse was "inaudible to most of those in the park" and only given in English.
