Judge bans Detroit police tactics against protesters

A federal judge late Friday temporarily barred Detroit police from using tear gas, rubber bullets, batons, shields, chokeholds or sound canns against peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters after a group accused city for excessive force. U.S. District Court Judge Laurie Michelson partially granted a temporary restraining order filed Monday by Detroit Will Brea against city of Detroit, accusing police of using excessive force to deter protesters from practicing ir free speech rights. order will be in effect for at least 14 days.

“It’s a win but fight continues,” said Jack Schulz, who filed lawsuit for Detroit Will Brea.

“For a short period, we kw that police will t be able to use brutal tactics y have in past against peaceful protesters without violating a court order.”

Meanwhile, Police Chief James Craig said order won’t change how his department handles protests because officers have used force only when protesters weren’t peaceful. A spokesman for city of Detroit didn’t immediately have a response to Friday’s ruling After reviewing videos of police interactions with protesters, Michelson determined that some protesters could win ir case.

“se videos, buttressed by testimonial evidence, establishes that at least some Plaintiffs have a likelihood of success on ir claims that DPD used excessive force against m,” she wrote.

lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, alleges that Detroit police used batons, shields and rubber bullets to crack bones, cause lumps and concussions, collapse lungs or injuries that left protesters hospitalized and disoriented during demonstrations that started on May 29, days after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. Under Michelson’s order, Detroit police are prohibited from:

- Dispersing chemicals, including pepper spray and tear gas, absent a verbal warning and a reasonable amount of time to disseminate

- Using batons or shields to hit peaceful protesters who aren’t posing a physical threat to public safety or police

- Placing protesters in chokeholds

- Arresting protesters in groups without probable cause or tightening zip ties or handcuffs to cause injury