LOS ANGELES -- Black Lives Matter and three individuals are suing the City of Santa Monica alleging violations of constitutional rights, among other claims.
Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, David Brown, David Clennon and Kerry Hogan filed a federal complaint on June 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against City of Santa Monica, Chief Cynthia Renaud and Does 1-10 for violations of the First, Fourth and Fourteenth amendments of the U.S. Constitution and violations of California Constitution Articles 1,2,3,7,13 Civil Code 52.1, as well as for false arrest, assault and battery.
According to the complaint, on May 31, 2020, and June 1, 2020, approximately 400 people were arrested during city-wide riots throughout Santa Monica in response to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis by police officer Derek Chauvin.
A curfew for Santa Monica also was enforced. The individual plaintiffs all allege having been wrongfully arrested, either while walking home or participating in peaceful protest.
The plaintiffs allege that there were so many arrests, officers were using zip ties to cuff people and then cutting them off with knives and other sharp objects, injuring some. Ultimately, all or almost all arrestees were released on a misdemeanor charge of violating a City Municipal Code provision that applied to the curfew, the suit claims.
BLM and the plaintiffs seek general, compensatory and statutory damages, attorney's fees and cost of suit. Plaintiffs are represented by Carol A. Sobel.
U.S. District Court Central District of California - Western Division case number 2:21-cv-05253-MCS-JPR