They took it to the streets. Now they’re taking it to the courts.
Four City Council members are suing the city and the NYPD over its handling of the Occupy Wall Street protests, saying police conduct is so problematic that the force needs an outside monitor.
Letitia James, Melissa Mark-Viverito, Ydanis Rodriguez and Jumaane Williams said cops violated demonstrators’ free-speech rights, used excessive force and arrested protesters on dubious charges. The lawmakers also said cops interfered with journalists’ and council members’ efforts to observe what was going on.
“In a show of force and intimidation, the NYPD arrested and assaulted reporters and elected officials, including some of the plaintiffs herein, to prevent them from covering or even observing the police action,” the politicians said in the federal civil-rights suit.
The city’s Law Department did not have an immediate comment.
In March, Mayor Bloomberg said the police department “knows how to control crowds without excessive force.”