Iowa: Bush protesters who were illegally strip-searched awarded $750,000

[Skidmore]

Yes!!! We're pushing back!

http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20080604&Category=news&ArtNo=246242606&SectionCat=&Template=printart

CEDAR RAPIDS A federal jury has awarded two President George W. Bush campaign rally protesters $750,000 for being illegally strip-searched at the Linn County Jail in 2004.

The eight-member jury deliberated almost four hours in the U.S. District Court of Northern Iowa civil case of protesters, Alice McCabe and Christine Nelson versus Bruce Macauley, a secret service agent, and Michelle Mais, a former Linn County jailer.

The women sued the defendants for violating their freedom of speech and assembly and equal protection rights.

The jury found in favor of Macauley, the agent who arrested the women for not moving from a secure area in Noelridge Park on Sept. 3, 2004. The jury, according to the verdict form questions, indicated he wasn't motivated by politics and made a reasonable arrest. Macauley also doesn't have to pay damages for his part in the incident....

[pleah]

1. Glad they won!

K&R

[BrklynLib at work]

2. Who pays?

[indepat]

3. One wonder how many billion, nay trillions, in damages will ultimately be awarded for civil rights

violations were justice to prevail in the courts: Pandora's box just might be opening a bit. :D