LB settles anarchist rally suit

[Guest guest]

By Paul Eakins, 333: Inside City Hall

Posted: 12/03/2008 09:39:08 PM PST

 

 

 

 

 

On May Day more than seven years ago, a crowd of anarchists protesting capitalism clashed with police in downtown Long Beach. Police arrested about 100 people during that May 1, 2001, confrontation on Ocean Boulevard after firing rubber pellets to disperse the protesters. On Tuesday, the City Council finally closed the book on the incident, approving a $190,000 settlement in a civil-rights lawsuit filed by four of the protesters. The plaintiffs - David Willingham, Penelope Gronbeck, Carlos Contreras and Lauren Alteshad - alleged that their civil rights were violated and that police used excessive force. They sought monetary damages for emotional distress and in some cases bodily injury. Howard Russell, deputy city attorney for the city, said initially the lawsuit had identified more than 200 defendants - the police officers who had responded to the incident - but narrowed the list down to 26 defendants. Initially, eight plaintiffs had filed the lawsuit, but four dropped out. Russell said the city settled the lawsuit rather than spend more money on attorney's fees. "It was a fair settlement considering all of the factors," Russell said. "We did not admit liability as part of the settlement, and we still do not admit liability." He said the case had taken an unusually long time largely because of court delays. While Long Beach has had its share of protests or police confrontations, readers may Remember that May Day incident. It was notable not only because of the demonstration itself - mostly young anarchists wearing black clothing and bandanas covering their faces clashed with police, blocking Ocean Boulevard at the Promenade for four hours - but also because of the huge number of arrests, which clogged the court system. Among those arrested were 25 juveniles. While some of the people charged in the incident reached plea bargain agreements and others were acquitted, one demonstrator who was convicted found a new way to fight the system. Because the protester, Sarah Roberts of Los Angeles, was a vegan and the county jail didn't serve vegan food, she was allowed to serve her six-month jail sentence under house arrest.

 

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