Jan 6 rioters file lawsuit and accuse cops of excessive force for trying to stop unruly mob

Members of the Proud Boys and other individuals involved in the January 6th Capitol riot have filed a class-action lawsuit against the federal government, claiming law enforcement officers used excessive force, including tear gas and “Billy clubs,” against them. The lawsuit, representing at least 46 plaintiffs and potentially thousands more, alleges indiscriminate use of force against what they claim was an “overwhelmingly peaceful” crowd.

Several plaintiffs were previously convicted of crimes related to the riot, including assaulting officers, and were later pardoned by Donald Trump. The suit seeks at least $18 million in damages for alleged bodily injury, emotional distress, and other harms. It follows Trump’s broader efforts to downplay the riot and rewrite its history, including mass pardons for defendants.

The Justice Department’s response is uncertain, given the Trump administration’s previous attempts to whitewash the events of January 6th and its settlement with the family of a rioter fatally shot by a Capitol police officer. The lawsuit highlights a continuing legal and political battle over the events of that day and the appropriate response from law enforcement.

(Source：The Independent)