Protesters sue city of Ferguson, St. Louis County and their police chiefs for $41.5 million
Five protesters are suing the city of Ferguson and St. Louis County, Missouri, as well as their police chiefs, based on allegations that they were subject to excessive force and false arrest, among other things.
The U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Missouri complaint (PDF) seeks $41.5 million in damages, the St. Louis Business Journal reports.
Washington, D.C., lawyers Gregory Lattimer and Malik Shabazz, along with Atlanta attorney Reginald A. Greene, are listed as plaintiffs counsel on the complaint, filed Aug. 28.
Two plaintiffs, a woman and her son, 17, claim that they were wrongfully arrested for failure to disperse at a Ferguson McDonald’s restaurant, which they visited after attending an AME Church “Peace and Love rally.”
Another plaintiff arrested for failure to disperse stated that after riding the bus to visit his mother, police shot him with rubber bullets as he attempted to avoid a blocked street.
A plaintiff lawyer told the Associated Press that more plaintiffs may be added.
Justin Cosma, a Ferguson police officer, is also named as defendant in the case. According to the AP, officials for the city of Ferguson and St. Louis County would not comment on the filing.
