Bicycle Civil Liberties http://www.bclu.org/ Contact: Jason Meggs, Director, email: jmeggs account at bclu.org, (510) 720-2818 (pager) Lawrence Hildes, BCLU attorney, (510) 845-9788 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
$11 MILLION SUIT v. Sacramento
Police Department
Press conference
Quality Hi-8 Footage Available
The Sacramento Police Department is being sued for $11 Million in damages by bicyclists whose civil rights were repeatedly violated when they tried to participate in the Sacramento Critical Mass bicycle demonstrations.
The lawsuit, organized on behalf of plaintiffs by Bicycle
Civil Liberties Union (BCLU) activists and attorneys, targets the rampant
pattern and practice of civil rights abuses committed by the Sacramento Police
Department over the past decade, specifically with regards to abuses against
Critical Mass bicycle demonstrations which began May 4th of
2001. Heavy-handed police response made
it clear they intended to crush the right to demonstrate on two wheels in
“There’s no telling how much
“A preponderance of evidence indicts the Sacramento Police
Department for knowingly and repeatedly violating the First Amendment rights of
the cycling citizens of
“We tried to work with the City reasonably, appealing to the City Council, the Office of the City Manager, the Office of Police Accountability and more. We were promised that the police would not abuse the demonstrators’ rights – but they continued,” said Jason Meggs. After suffering ten years of preventing legitimate first amendment activity for clean air, safer streets and sustainable cities, plaintiffs feel they have no choice but to follow through with this action at this time.”
Photos, video and specifics of police abuses can be found at the BCLU website, specifically under http://www.bclu.org/sactocm/. Quality hi-8 footage is available. The press conference will occur shortly after the suit is filed Tuesday morning. Supporters with signs and banners will be present.