Civil rights groups sue Trump, Barr over assault on peaceful protesters to click picture
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The lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter DC and individual protesters accuses Trump and the other officials are accused of 'violating their constitutional rights and engaging in an unlawful conspiracy to violate those rights.'
The American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights groups are suing Donald Trump, William Barr and other federal officials over the assault on peaceful protesters near the White House on Monday, to allow the president to hold a photo op at a historic church.
US President Donald Trump holds a Bible while visiting St. John's Church Photograph:( AFP )
According to a release from the ACLU of the District of Columbia, the lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter DC and individual protesters accuses Trump and the other officials are accused of ''violating their constitutional rights and engaging in an unlawful conspiracy to violate those rights.''
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the law firm of Arnold and Porter also filed the suit.
Protesters demonstrating over the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis were gassed, shot with rubber bullets and forcefully cleared on Barr’s orders so Trump could walk to St John’s church, the so-called Church of the Presidents, and hold up a Bible in a photo op meant to reassure evangelical supporters.