DeRay McKesson Is Suing The Baton Rouge Police Department Following July Arrest
McKesson and two other protesters are leading a class action suit stemming from last month’s protests following the death of Alton Sterling.
Black Lives Matter activist DeRay McKesson, along with two other protesters, has filed a federal class action suit against the Baton Rouge Police Department, seeking to recoup money spent on the arrests of more than 100 protesters in the wake of the July 5 shooting of Alton Sterling. McKesson, who was arrested in Baton Rouge on July 9, and his attorney are alleging that the arrests of the protesters were illegal, The Baltimore Sun reports.
"It is important that the records of all illegally arrested protesters are expunged and that no expenses are incurred by activists for these illegal arrests," McKesson told The Sun on Thursday. "The courts are an important lever by which we can hold cities accountable for engaging in unconstitutional practices."
The suit, which was filed on Thursday, alleges that police violated protester's civil rights by using excessive force when making arrests during protests that followed the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling by a Baton Rouge police officer.
McKesson was arrested in Baton Rouge last month on one count of misdemeanor obstruction of a highway and was released after being held for 17 hours.
Representatives for DeRay McKesson and the Baton Rouge Police Department were not immediately available for comment.
Update (10:03 p.m. EST): In response to The FADER, DeRay McKesson wrote, "We can protest in more than one venue; streets, suites, and courtrooms."