Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) Pro-Palestinian protests on the University at Buffalo campus a year ago have resulted in a massive lawsuit against UB,
Erie County, city of Buffalo, 10 law enforcement agencies, and nearly 80 named officers.
The lawsuit states the protest on May 1st, 2024 was peaceful and orderly until police arrived, many in tactical gear, ordering the crowd to disperse.
"I represent 10 of the 15 people who were arrested," said Attorney Robert Corp on WBEN Wednesday.
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"There was no basis for the arrests. These were false arrests. Enforcement and actions by the police and the University that night were inappropriate," added Corp.
Criminal charges against the protesters were later thrown out.
University campuses became focal points for mass demonstrations last year
as part of the war between Israel and Hamas. In some cities, students set up encampments to demand their schools divest from companies supporting Israel.
Corp reiterated the events that transpired on May 1st at UB.
"There were about 50 protestors who were gathered peacefully on a quad in Amherst. They weren't blocking a sidewalk. They certainly had not take over any buildings. This was a completely orderly, peaceful and quiet protest. Folks were planning on disbanding shortly after an arbitrary curfew started to be enforced. They were allowing Muslim students to finish their evening prayers. They only needed 5 or 10 more minutes."
Instead, Corp said, 100 or so officers found it necessary to charge the group of praying students and others who were with them.
Body cam video that is part of the complaint shows, what Corp said, is very concerning language.
"Officers were targeting folks in Muslim attire, calling the protestors terrorists. They were making jokes about whether there were IED's in the quad."
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages for those who suffered physical injuries as well as for emotional trauma. They are also seeking an injunction to ensure that the university and local police departments rethink and retrain officers about cases involving free speech and free assembly.