First Amendment

SIMON GLIK v. JOHN CUNNIFFE, PETER J. SAVALIS and JEROME HALL-BREWSTER, and the CITY OF BOSTON

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Wed, 12/07/2022 - 11:25

Simon Glik was arrested for illegal wiretapping for openly using his cell phone to record police brutality by the Boston police. Our lawsuit, brought with the ACLU of Mass., argued that the arrest violated Mr. Glik’s clearly established constitutional rights. The Defendants lost a motion to dismiss and appealed to the First Circuit. David Milton argued the appeal. The appeals court’s landmark decision in August 2011 declared that the First Amendment protects the right to record police carrying out their duties in a public place.

Miguel Contreras v. City of Long Beach, Sgt. David Faris, Ofcr Michael Hines

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Wed, 12/07/2022 - 10:12

Vasquez approaches Sgt. Faris inquiring why he’s got a friend kneeling on the sidewalk with others. Faris does not answer, tells him to go home. Vasquez is at home, he told Faris. Faris became angry and attacked Vasquez, knocking him to the sidewalk and battering him with a baton. Contreras hears the screaming and walked up yelling at Faris to stop hitting his cousin when Hines came from behind and smashed Contreras with a baton, fracturing his elbow, knocked him down and admitted 17 more blows justified by the claim Contreras was non compliant with verbal orders.

Luke Gelinas v. Edward Boisselle, Todd Dineen, and David Gagne

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Wed, 12/07/2022 - 09:27

Gelinas was speaking during the public comment period of a 4/14/10 school committee meeting. Gelinas said it was time for school officials, including Chairperson Boisselle, to be held responsible for their role in the death of Phoebe Prince. Before he could finish, Boisselle ordered Gelinas to sit down. Gelinas was escorted out of the meeting by police officers.

HOLLY GRAHAM, v. DAVID AYOTTE and JOHN MELANSON

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Wed, 12/07/2022 - 01:50

On 10/6/12, two Bellingham officers entered Ms. Graham’s home without a warrant. When Ms. Graham began to openly video record the encounter and protest the officers’ actions, Defendants arrested her, using unreasonable force. She was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and three misdemeanors. The criminal charges were dismissed. Ms. Graham’s cell phone video shows the officers arresting Ms. Graham and using unreasonable force. The case received local publicity. The case settled after an early mediation.

Grenning v. Klemme

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Wed, 12/07/2022 - 01:40

Inmate wrote mother complaining that Sgt. filed “bullsht” infractions. Mail room opened letter (correct), laughed and forwarded copy to Sgt. Sgt was furious and gave inmate 10 days cell-confinement. Inmate grieved and coordinator denied action was error, then admitted during grievance appeal that rules did not permit mailroom personnel sharing letter with custody. Court dismissed Monell but found 1st violation (“egregious” was the term judge used.

David Concha v. City of Minneapolis, et al.

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 13:22

Officer Joshua Henninger took out his department issued Freeze +P chemical irritant and gave a burst directly into Plaintiff’s eyes. Plaintiff and his brother later approached Officer Henninger, and Plaintiff said he wanted Officer Henninger’s badge number. Officer Heidi Eisenbeis and Officer Luis Realivasquez subsequently took Plaintiff to the ground, by jumping on Plaintiff from behind, pushing Plaintiff face first into a city bench on the sidewalk, and kneeing Plaintiff in the ribs at least twice.