Two People Injured In May Day Clash File Federal Lawsuit

POSTED: 5:59 pm PDT June 18, 2007

LOS ANGELES -- A federal lawsuit was filed Monday in connection with a May Day altercation that involved members of the Los Angeles Police Department and participants in an immigrant rights rally at Macarthur Park.

The lawsuit, which names two people injured in the clash as plaintiffs, alleged civil rights violations.

LAPD Chief William Bratton acknowledged that his officers made mistakes at the park. Several investigations were launched.

The melee occurred after a day of immigration-related marches and events that culminated with a rally at Macarthur Park.

In a news release, an attorney for the plaintiffs called the LAPD’s actions a “flagrant violation of basic human rights and the American Constitutional guarantee of right to protest and the right to expression.â€