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Today, a federal lawsuit was filed against the City of Columbus and several Columbus Police officers including Chief Thomas Quinlan. The details and photos in the complaint are horrific. https://www.scribd.com/document/468455847/Alsaada-et-al-vs-City-of-Columbus-et-al
Several plaintiffs were pepper-sprayed, often at close-range, and assaulted without warning. They fell to the ground, unable to see or breathe, and needed medical attention. Officers laughed while protesters choked on tear gas.
One plaintiff tried to move his motorcycle into a garage during the curfew. He remained on his own property at all times. Nevertheless, CPD arrested him for violating curfew. He was held in a jail cell until he following afternoon. The charge was later dismissed.
Another was struck in the face by a wooden pellet fired by CPD—the ones that are supposed to be “skip-fired” off the ground. It split open her chin. She couldn’t chew solid food for a week.
Another plaintiff was struck by the legs of a police horse that was rode onto the sidewalk and pushed into the crowd of protesters.
Several protesters sustained broken bones as a result of police brutality. One was hit in the leg with a tear gas canister, which fractured his fibula. Another was hit with a wooden pellet, which fractured his fourth metatarsal bone and caused severe lacerations to his shins.
One plaintiff was looking for her daughter in the protest and stopped to ask an officer for help. A different officer charged toward her and pepper-sprayed her directly in the face. Another continued to spray her as she was lying on the sidewalk.
As she attempted to stand, an officer shoved her off the sidewalk and over the curb. She felt a snap in her leg. The officer told her, “That’s what you get for your protest, bitch,” and stepped on her knee before walking away. Her kneecap was shattered, requiring surgery.
