• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Black Lives Matter Sues In Seattle, Say Their Riot Gear Is Too Expensive

August 5, 2020
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

A lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle alleges that protesters in the Black Lives Matter movement are being priced out of their civil rights by the high costs of defending themselves against police violence.

WE TOLD YOU SO: THE GEORGE FLOYD INCIDENT

The lawsuit alleges that the purchase of gas masks, helmets, protective clothing, goggles, boots, gloves and even umbrellas are mandatory items in order to defend rioters from police pepper spray, less-lethal projectiles and other crowd-dispersal tools and it is the cost of those items that have violated the civil rights of those five defendants.

Well, if you have ever wondered what contribution violent rioters could contribute to society, maybe they can bring the price of this expensive equipment down so that more law enforcement agencies can afford them?

According to the Seattle Times, the plaintiffs — Jessica Benton, Shelby Bryant, Anne Marie Cavanaugh, Alyssa Garrison, and Clare Thomas — say they were the victims of police violence during protests and they need this protective equipment in order to  exercise their right to gather and protest without personal protective gear, which can be quite expensive.

BUY THE BOOK

“Because protesters now must purchase expensive equipment to be assured that they will be able to protest safely, the indiscriminate use of weapons by SPD implicates equal protection,” the lawsuit alleges.

ALEXANDRIA POLICE CHIEF UNDER FIRE

“Because the Seattle Police Department has acted above and outside the law in dispensing its unbridled force, and the City has failed to prevent same, the government effect is to establish a de facto protest tax: individual protesters subjected to SPD’s unabated and indiscriminate violence now must purchase cost-prohibitive gear to withstand munitions — even when peacefully protesting — as a condition to exercising their right to free speech and peaceable assembly,” wrote attorney Talitha Hazelton of Renton, who filed the lawsuit Monday.

Protestors on their way to harass the Seattle police chief ⁦@carmenbest⁩ at her home, encountered locals who were not in the mood to host protests in their neighborhood.

Protestor: “We are peaceful! You pointed a gun at my face!”

Resident: “That’s why you are peaceful.” pic.twitter.com/QU0FzwReNG

— Mike (@Doranimated) August 4, 2020

The Seattle City Attorney’s Office will “look into these new claims and intend(s) to defend the City in this matter,” said spokesperson Dan Nolte.


Photo Courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/PEACEinATX/photos

 


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Newsprotestsriotsseattle policeSpecial Topics
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

St. Louis Police

St. Louis Police protesters get millions after settlement

August 6, 2023
NYC rioters

NYPD pays $13.7 MILLION to George Floyd rioters for ‘violating’ their rights

July 22, 2023

Seattle Pride Parade bans uniformed police from marching

June 17, 2023
Mutiny

Seattle police are fleeing while 911 response times increase

May 28, 2023
anti-police activity

Anti-Police Activity Goes Professional

December 4, 2022

Florida rapper shot dead minutes after taunting critics to confront him

July 26, 2022
Load More

Latest Articles

The Problem with Promotions

June 20, 2025
Melissa Hortman

Former Minnesota House Speaker Assassinated in Attack on Multiple Lawmakers

June 14, 2025

Sheriff: If You Throw a Brick At Our Deputy, ‘We Will Kill You, Graveyard Dead’

June 13, 2025

Former USAID Officer and Executives Plead Guilty in $550 Million Bribery Scheme

June 13, 2025

A Case Study in Federal Corruption and Media Silence

June 12, 2025

‘Completely blew it’: Former union president calls out Minneapolis Police Department leadership missteps

June 12, 2025
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

Protect Your Privacy

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

POPULAR GEAR

Tactical Pants

Tactical Boots

 

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2024 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2024 LawOfficer.com