The city of Detroit is suing Black Lives Matter protesters along with a prominent activist group for damages caused during civil unrest that happened earlier this year, alleging a “conspiracy” to defame local authorities.
From Georgia Star News:
The suit was filed against multiple individuals and an organization called Detroit Will Breathe, which indicates on its webpage that it plans to use “militant resistance” to enact “meaningful change” for people of color. City leaders allege that the group was part of a conspiracy to damage property, attack law enforcement and incite riot activity, the lawsuit read.
“Counter-Defendants illegally, maliciously, and wrongfully conspired with one another with the intent to and for the illegal purpose of disturbing the peace, engaging in disorderly conduct, inciting riots, destroying public property, resisting or obstructing officers in charge of duty, and committing acts of violence against Counter-Plaintiffs and DPD officers,” the legal document read.
“While Counter-Defendants have attempted to characterize their protests as ‘peaceful,’ the protests in Detroit have repeatedly turned violent, endangering the lives of police and the public,” the lawsuit continued.
Detroit added that the defendants caused “physical injuries,” “suffering and emotional distress,” and “loss of business opportunity.” In one example, the city pointed to Detroit Will Breathe sharing a video of a demonstrator saying “non-violence is no longer their shield or their answer” as he told a crowd to take police “badges and teeth,” the lawsuit read.
Read more here.