Fort Lauderdale police sued for actions during BLM protest

FORT LAUDERDALE – It was four years ago when hundreds of people gathered in Fort Lauderdale to protest the death of George Floyd, and it was on this day, May 31, 2020, when Latoya Ratlieff claimed to have been pepper sprayed and shot by police with rubber bullets.

“I may have suffered the most serious injuries of any protester, but I was not the only one who suffered harm or had my rights violated,” Ratliff said.

Now Ratlieff, along with Jayanna Jackson and two other people who were there that day, have filed a class action lawsuit in federal court against the city of Fort Lauderdale and the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Your Answer.

“We stand on the corner where four years ago law-abiding citizens gathered to protest police brutality. The City of Fort Lauderdale did not like their message, their decision to gather, and for an hour Tear gas used and KIPs to ensure they could no longer speak. This class action lawsuit seeks justice on their behalf,” said attorney Michael T. Davis.

“I am a mother of two sons and two daughters. When George Floyd was murdered, it hurt my heart. I came here four years ago to speak out against the brutality he suffered and to advocate for positive change. I was tear-gassed. I was scared. So as a community, we have to endure this so that something like this doesn’t happen again,” Jackson said.

CBS News Miami reached out to Fort Lauderdale police, who said they do not comment on pending litigation.