Abuse lawsuits stem from Elián protests

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sat, Apr. 24, 2004

MIAMI
Abuse lawsuits stem from Elián protests

About a dozen people who protested the removal of Elián González from his family's home have sued, alleging they were arrested without reason or abused by local officials.

The lawsuits were filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court on Thursday, the fourth anniversary of the raid that led to the boy's return home and accompanying protests in Miami.

Several protesters alleged that Miami police officers illegally arrested them when they were peacefully demonstrating in the streets of Miami's Little Havana neighborhood on April 22, 2000. Other plaintiffs said they were hit by police officers and forced to undergo strip searches at the Miami-Dade County jail.

Each of the nine lawsuits seek a trial, at least $15,000 in damages and court costs. They allege false arrest, battery, civil rights violations and other charges.
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http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/8507896.htm