Judge dismisses claims against Trump, Barr, and other officials in clearing of Lafayette SquareWashington Examiner, Jun 21, 2021
A federal judge rejected lawsuit claims against federal officials related to the clearing of protesters from Lafayette Square near the White House last summer.
U.S. District Court Judge Dabney Friedrich dismissed protesters' claims for damages against officials such as then-President Donald Trump, then-Attorney General William Barr, then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and others for their part in the day's events, which included law enforcement pushing people out of the park using aggressive tactics.
Friedrich said the plaintiffs, whose complaints were filed by groups such as American Civil Liberties Union of D.C. and Black Lives Matter, had not "plausibly alleged the existence of a conspiracy" between those officials who "targeted black people and their supporters" as the plaintiffs claimed.
The judge, a Trump appointee, will still allow the plaintiffs to pursue lawsuits against Washington, D.C., and Arlington County, Virginia.
Protesters also sought an injunction to bar similar use-of-force tactics against protesters in the future. That request was denied.
More:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/judge-dismisses-lawsuits-protesters-lafayette-park
