that 75 year old who was shoved and hit his head, files lawsuit against Buffalo, mayor and cops

[Demovictory9]

https://www.newser.com/story/302896/martin-gugino-shoved-to-ground-by-cops-files-suit.html?utm_source=part&utm_medium=uol&utm_campaign=rss_world_login



Last week, criminal charges were dropped against two police officers who were caught on video pushing 75-year-old protester Martin Gugino to the ground during a June 4 protest in Buffalo, NY, against police brutality and racism. Gugino, who fractured his skull and suffered a concussion as a result of the confrontation, isn't ready to let the officers, or several other parties, off the hook: CNN reports he filed a civil suit Monday against the city of Buffalo, in which he claimed his constitutional rights were violated, including those on his freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, unreasonable seizures, freedom from the unlawful use of force by government agents, and due process.

The complaint also names Byron Brown, Buffalo's mayor; police officers Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski, accused of shoving Gugino, and John Losi, who the suit says "shoved" McCabe and Torgalski toward Gugino; and other high-ranking police officials, including Commissioner Byron Lockwood, per HuffPost. In the complaint, Gugino says the officers used "unlawful and unnecessary force" against him while enforcing what he says was an "unconstitutional and draconian" 8pm curfew that was "selectively enforced against peaceful protesters" like himself. WGRZ notes the 55-page suit is asking for unspecified damages. The complaint adds that the amount sought should be "sufficient to punish them and deter others from similar conduct,"

[soothsayer]

1. Good

[KewlKat]

2. Wonder if his legal fees are covered? I hope he wins, a lot!

[Cuthbert Allgood]

3. This would be a contingency fee basis case.

[KewlKat]

4. Wouldn't there be court fees, filing fees and such?

[Cuthbert Allgood]

5. Sure, but how that gets handled is contract based.

They will do a lot of stuff ahead of time that won't require those that might lead to settlement.

[True Blue American]

6. But if he wins

He can get those expenses.

[Dan]

13. I bet he could setup a GoFundMe account

And lots of people would donate, hell for that matter lots of people could testify as to what was seen. I know that I would donate.

[lunatica]

15. I would donate too.

In the 60s we called the police pigs. The cops in that photo fit the bill.

[electric_blue68]

22. I know (I was there -'60's) and I even thought it a a few days ago...

but later I was thinking that's a insult to the intelligent, often gentle beings called pigs....

[Runningdawg]

7. Did the police ever file charges against him?

Or find the device he supposedly used to block police radio transmissions? After all, that was the first reason they gave for attacking him.

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

8. He's going to collect big!

[Roc2020]

9. wonderful

[erronis]

10. And we all know that if he wins this lawsuit, the taxpayers get the bill.

Unless there are criminal and civil penalties against those responsible, it's always the taxpayer.

Even black marks on police resumes may make them more desirable in some jurisdictions.

[calimary]

12. Well, maybe that could be one of those "teachable moments"

to help educate and enlighten police to some extent?

This makes me think of the old vaudeville bit:
Man: “Doc, it hurst when I do this.”
Doctor: “Then don’t do that!”

[StClone]

14. Minneapolis had paid out 45 Million since 2003

That is a lot of lutefisk! https://www.cbsnews.com/video/minneapolis-has-paid-45-million-in-police-misconduct-settlements-since-2003/

[lunatica]

16. Try not to be so optimistic.

[littlemissmartypants]

18. If by taxpayers you mean the mayor and the two officers...

Last edited Tue Feb 23, 2021, 05:47 PM - Edit history (1)

I wouldn't be surprised if all three of them file for bankruptcy or somehow liquidate or hide their assets.

ETA ...and apparently Buffalo...so anyone paying taxes in the town, oops. I hope they have a rainy day fund or a fat savings account.

He deserves a win if for no other reason than to set an example. I doubt he's in it for the bank based on the comments in the article.

[erronis]

23. No. By taxpayers I mean most of us normal US residents. Not politicians/grifters.

[littlemissmartypants]

26. I don't live in Buffalo. Municipalities should have some way to come up with the cash beside

From "the taxpayers" like insurance* I believe. I could be wrong, of course. I don't think that towns and cities just throw caution to the wind and expect the citizens to pay all the bills.

We pay taxes for a variety of reasons and if doing that gives those in this situation the ability to sue then I don't think that is a bad deal. However, don't believe that "the taxpayers" are the only ones that "pick up the tab" when a town or city has an incident involving this type of incident.

*Law Enforcement Liability Insurance

https://www.travelers.com/business-insurance/general-liability/law-enforcement

❤ miss pants

[erronis]

27. We're going down that rabbit hole... Municipal insurance is usually paid for by the taxpayers.

The municipalities pay the premiums. The taxpayers pay the munis. Same difference.

[JanMichael]

25. All local governments have insurance for this type of thuggery.

They may get have their rates raised if the loss is huge but probably not enough to have to raise taxes.

[Evolve Dammit]

11. Good for him. That was malicious and totally unnecessary. Hope he sues the snot out of them. n/t

[lunatica]

17. And then they just moved on.

Last edited Tue Feb 23, 2021, 05:37 PM - Edit history (1)

He was an old man doing nothing but what he had every right to do.

[Evolve Dammit]

20. Damn straight. I saw the WTF look on the cops face that did it as he fell. Totally unjustified.

[littlemissmartypants]

21. He also has a history as a righteous protester. I wish him the best possible outcome.

From Wikipedia

Martin Gugino, born October 15, 1944, is an American peace activist associated with the Catholic Worker Movement.[12] He worked with the Western New York Peace Center after his retirement...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_police_shoving_incident

❤miss pants

[WhiskeyGrinder]

19. This is not a victory. It should never have happened in the first place. ACAB.

[FlyingPiggy]

24. Good!!! I am glad he is hitting back. I couldn't believe they got away w that.

[Blue Owl]

28. Sue the living fuck out of them