People Magazine reported that thousands of protestors have taken to the streets of Nashville, Tennessee to protest police brutality and systemic racism. On June 4th, 10,000 people, took to the streets in a protest organized by six local teens. While People Magazine reports that the teen-led protest was entirely peaceful, protests elsewhere have erupted into violence, with the police injuring protestors who have been exercising their right of free speech. If you plan to protest, what are your rights? And what can you do if you end up injured due to police brutality or violence during a protest?
The good news is that you have important rights. George R. Fusner, Jr. is a personal injury lawyer in Nashville, Tennessee that works with clients who have been injured due to the neglect or negligence of another person or party. Our firm can also pursue claims for victims who have been intentionally injured by another person or party. While pursuing lawsuits against government officials, like police are not permitted without the state’s permission because of the doctrine of qualified immunity, many have called for the end of qualified immunity for police officers due to the recent violence. It isn’t clear whether these laws will be changed anytime soon, but there have been cases across the country where police forces and local officials have agreed to settle personal injury cases privately or outside of court, particularly in situations where police officers egregiously used excessive force. If you or someone you love was hurt in a protest, you may have important rights under the law. The personal injury lawyers at George R. Fusner, Jr. in Nashville, Tennessee are here to help.
Protestors’ Rights to Safety
The ACLU offers helpful information to individuals who are planning to attend a protest and to those who have attended protests and believe their civil rights may have been violated. What are your rights? If protesting in the street, in a park, or on the sidewalk, your rights are the strongest, the ACLU notes. Plazas in front of government buildings are places where free speech is protected as long as protestors aren’t preventing officials from entering or exiting the building or accessing their place of work. Protests on private property are subject to the permission of the person who owns the property. Individuals are permitted to photograph or take video of the protest as long as they remain on public property. Owners of private property are permitted to ask individuals to stop recording. If the protest will interfere with traffic, protestors may need to seek a permit. If a protest grows large, police may ask that protestors move on to sidewalks to permit the flow of traffic.
However, what are your rights if you are stopped by police during a protest, or if you were hurt by police use of force? If police are trying to arrest you, do not resist. Remind officers that you are exercising your First Amendment right to free speech. If police hurt you or others around you, take photos and video, get names and contact information of witnesses, and try to get the names, badge numbers, and patrol car numbers of officers involved. Take photos of any injuries you may have sustained and seek medical care to treat more serious injuries. If you have been hurt due to the violence of police or due to the violence of counter protestors, consider reaching out to a personal injury lawyer today. Across the nation there have been reports of people getting seriously injured when they have been pushed or shoved by police. In one prominent case reported in Buffalo, one man suffered brain injuries after being shoved by police. The police officers were since charged with assault and the man is being represented by an attorney who spoke out about the man’s involvement with civil rights groups and about his desire to peacefully assemble.
Many individuals who were seriously injured while protesting are seeking the assistance of personal injury attorneys to help them seek damages for their losses. If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a protest, or was hurt due to the intentional violence of a counter protestor, you may have the right to pursue a lawsuit against negligent parties. George R. Fusner, Jr. is a personal injury law firm in Nashville, Tennessee that works with individuals who have been hurt in car accidents and those who have suffered other personal injuries. You are not alone.
Seek Justice for Your Injuries in Nashville, Tennessee
Those who have been injured in protests have suffered from a range of serious injuries including traumatic brain injury, seizures, and more. If you were injured in a car accident, due to the violence of police, or due to the violent actions of a counter-protestor, you may have the right to seek damages under the law. Contact the personal injury lawyers at George R. Fusner, Jr. in Nashville, Tennessee today. Or reach out to USAttorneys.com to get connected to a lawyer at our firm.
