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Third Lawsuit Accuses Chicago City Police of Harassing Black Residents on Election Night

Another police brutality lawsuit has been filed against the Chicago police for allegedly harassing black residents who were celebrating President-elect Barack Obama?s victory on Election Night. There are 22 black plaintiffs named in this latest lawsuit, which was filed in federal court.

According to the lawsuit, 9 Chicago cops swore at and discharged pepper spray at the plaintiffs, who were peacefully celebrating outside their homes. One cop allegedly beat a man, while police Tasered another plaintiff. Another officer is accused of grabbing and breaking a cell phone belonging to someone who was trying to record the attacks.

One of the plaintiffs was charged with reckless conduct while two plaintiffs were charged with obstructing an officer. All of the charges have been dropped. The plaintiffs? attorney says he believe the attacks were racially motivated.

This latest lawsuit is the third one filed this month accusing other Chicago police officers of engaging in similar racially motivated attacks of police brutality on Election Night. On November 13, eight people filed a federal lawsuit accusing Chicago cops of hitting them with pepper spray, assaulting them with profanity and racial insults, and knocking down their door after they ran into the house to escape police. They were also outside their home celebrating President Obama?s election win when the alleged attack happened.

The plaintiffs are accusing the Chicago police officers of battery, use of excessive force, unlawful search and seizure, and committing a hate crime. Their lawsuit seeks at least $200,000 in damages.

Another lawsuit, filed by Cornelius Voss and Christine Ballard, accuses Chicago police of harassing them and other family members while they were riding in their car and cheering Obama?s victory. The couple claims that Chicago cops in an unmarked squad car attacked them with pepper spray and racial insults.

22 people sue Chicago police over more alleged Election Night abuse, Chicago Tribune.com, November 22, 2008

Police sued for election night incident, Chicago Breaking News, November 13, 2008

Police Pepper-Sprayed Us for Celebrating Obama Win, Family Claims, NBCChicago.com, November 7, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Top 5 Police Brutality Videos, Huffington Post, July 30, 2008

Police brutality cases on rise since 9/11, USA Today, December 17, 2008

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on November 24, 2008 (boomark / email).