Beachgoers' suit seeks gang injunction against alleged territorial surfers
Lawyers say they are hearing from additional beachgoers who want to join a federal lawsuit seeking a gang injunction against California surfers accused of intimidating others who want to use a public beach.
Two beachgoers and a coastal protection group filed the would-be class action against the so-called Lunada Bay Boys, report the Daily Breeze, in stories here and here, and the Los Angeles Daily News. The suit also seeks damages and civil fines of up to $30,000 for each defendant.
According to the suit, the Lunada Bay Boys “confront, threaten, intimidate and harass nonlocal beachgoers.” Their conduct includes throwing rocks, running people over with surfboards, shoving and slapping people, and stealing their wallets, wetsuits and surfboards, according to the suit.
The wealthy town of Palos Verdes Estates, where the beach is located, has done nothing to stop the Boys’ conduct despite complaints, the suit alleges. The city also tolerates an unpermitted fort and seating area built by the Boys, the suit says.
The suit alleges the intimidation is a public nuisance and a violation of California’s Bane Act, which allows civil suits for damages for interference with constitutional rights. The complaint also alleges an equal protection violation by the Palos Verdes Estates and its police chief; assault and battery by the Lunada Bay Boys; and violation of California’s Coastal Act.
Lawyers representing the plaintiffs told the Daily News they have receives dozens of calls and emails from people who would like to join the lawsuit. They say the new complaints could lead to the addition of as many as 100 defendants to the suit.
One defendant, Angelo Ferrara, denied the allegations in an interview with the Daily Breeze. He said he doesn’t know why he and three of his relatives were named in the suit because they had nothing to do with alleged intimidation. “We’re all just a family that works and surfs and that’s the spot we grew up in,” Ferrara said. “They’re throwing my name in and I think that’s not right.”
