MALDEF to challenge LAPD

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund announced Thursday it is joining the National Lawyers Guild in repesenting what it said will be thousands of people who participated in the May 1 immigrant rights rally at MacArthur Park.
“This lawsuit is the only way to afford justice to the victims of this outrageous assault on Latinos calling for comprehensive immigration reform,” said Annabelle Gonzalves, MALDEF Los Angeles Regional Counsel.
The suit, filed in federal court on behalf of individuals and organizers of the May 1 march and rally, seeks damages for injuries and significant changes in the policies and practices of the LAPD.
The suit alleges the LAPD disrupted the rally by, among other things, improperly declaring an unlawful assembly, shutting down the rally prior to the expiration of its permitted time, unlawfully dispersing participants with threats and actual use of force, and not giving people sufficient time or direction to comply with the order to leave MacArthur Park.
It is the second federal suit filed against the LAPD as a result of the confrontation along with three personal claims for injuries filed with the city.