Occupy Philadelphia protesters hit City Hall - with lawsuit

[Redfairen]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Twenty-six Occupy Philadelphia protesters sued the city in federal court Wednesday, contending that their arrests two years ago after police and city workers dismantled their encampment in front of City Hall violated their First Amendment rights of free speech and assembly.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, maintains that the arrests of the 26 in the predawn hours of Nov. 30, 2011, were without probable cause. That was proved, the suit contends, by the acquittals of all 26 in April 2012 on charges of failure to disperse, obstructing the highway, and criminal conspiracy.

The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief involving the city's handling of the Occupy demonstrators.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Capt. William V. Fisher, six specific police officers, and up to 25 unidentified officers who were on the scene at the time of the arrests.




Read more: http://mobile.philly.com/news/?wss=/philly/news&id=231832281

[delrem]

1. In a country that "kettles" protesters not abiding by the "free speech zones",

I think y'all have gone *way* past your expire date.

[msanthrope]

2. The Philly protestors at City Hall were issued a permit and allowed to

stay but told of the impending construction project which would move them in a couple of months. Most protesters simply moved the block over. Some stayed and were arrested.

I have a feeling the Third Circuit will toss this.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. A Brawn vs Brains Lawsuit

Thank goodness we still live in a society where the courts can weigh in.

Guess it wouldn't have happened without the acquittals. Somebody
let something slip through the cracks!