A protester files a lawsuit against Des Moines, chief of police and officers
A lawsuit was filed Monday against Des Moines Police by a woman who was arrested last summer during the Black Lives Matter protests. It’s been six months since the protests, but one protester and her lawyer say it took some time to gather evidence for them to say the police hit her and she should pay for it. Miranda Nikolai says she will never forget the night of May 31, 2020. “I was definitely scared. I was really scared.” Nikolai said. She had come to Des Moines from Albia to join the enraged crowds at the killing of George Floyd. She followed them as they walked to Polk County Courthouse, the headquarters State, and they eventually returned to the entertainment district on Court Street. She says the police arrested her, but not before she became violent. “I was treated violently and ended up hitting my right shoulder and hip on the ground when I landed,” attorney Ben Lynch said filing a lawsuit Civilian against Des Moines, Des Moines Police Chief and several police officers.The lawsuit alleges that Nikolai suffered from severe shoulder pain, groin pains, bruises, and burns as a result of being pepper sprayed, hitting him on the ground, hitting him and tied with a zipper. ”This is our day to tell. Des Moines, he told Lynch, „the police department, we are here to fight and we will seek justice.” „We want to record in the file to show the violation of her civil rights.” Lynch wants city leaders to admit a mistake and pay for the injuries. Nikolai also wants to send a message, „I would like to see my voice and the people around me and in my community. I would like to see every voice heard.” The case against the police is similar to the one filed last week on behalf of several other protesters. A Des Moines spokesperson says Des Moines has not reviewed the suit and has no comment. This litigation could take years.
A lawsuit was filed Monday against Des Moines Police by a woman who was arrested last summer during the Black Lives Matter protests.
It’s been six months since the protests, but one protester and her lawyer say it took some time to gather evidence for them to say the police hit her and she should pay for it.
Miranda Nikolai says she will never forget the night of May 31, 2020.
“I was definitely afraid. I was really scared,” said Nikolai.
She had come to Des Moines from Albia to join the enraged crowds at the murder of George Floyd. I followed them as they walked to Polk County Courthouse, the state headquarters, and they eventually returned to the entertainment district on Court Street.
She says the police arrested her, but not before she became violent
„I was confronted violently and ended up hitting my right shoulder and hip to the ground when I landed,” she said.
Attorney Ben Lynch filed a civil lawsuit against Des Moines, the Des Moines Police Chief and several police officers. The lawsuit alleges that Nikolai suffered severe shoulder pain, groin pain, bruises and burns as a result of being peppered, hitting the floor, hitting and tied with a zipper.
Lynch said, „This is our day to tell Des Moines, tell the police department, that we’re here to fight and we’ll seek justice.” „We want to record in a file to show her civil rights violation.”
Lynch wants city leaders to admit they made a mistake and pay for the injuries. Nikolai also wants to send a message.
“I would like to see my voice and the people around me and in my community.” She said, “I would like to see every voice heard.”
The lawsuit against the police is similar to the one filed last week on behalf of several other protesters.
A Des Moines spokesperson says Des Moines has not reviewed the suit and has no comment. This litigation could take years.