Excessive Force, False Arrest, and Malicious Prosecution Cases Brought Against the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County for May 30, 2020 Protests
15 defendants are bringing cases against Cleveland and Cuyahoga County for a range of complaints about arrests that occurred during the George Floyd protests.
Cleveland, OH (May 28, 2021) – Attorney Sarah Gelsomino, partner with Friedman, Gilbert, + Gerhardstein will bring charges against the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County on behalf of 15 protesters who faced a range of violations of their rights during the May 30, 2020 protests in the wake of George Floyd’s extrajudicial murder.
Charges against most of the protestors have already been dropped, but many of those arrested feel their rights were violated when they were taken into custody without notice of curfew or an opportunity to disperse. Some protestors were held for up to six days, shot with rubber bullets, pepper-sprayed, and otherwise injured.
“The police admit they were unprepared for the protests, which they knew would happen because they were happening worldwide,” Gelsomino said. “Their lack of preparedness led them to escalate with indiscriminate violence and violations of constitutional rights of protesters Their violent response was unprompted, unnecessary, and dangerous.”
“If you believe that what took place that day was merited, you have no right to work in law enforcement.”