Lee Monument Protest Injuries – Lawsuit Updates

Were you at Lee Circle in Richmond on June 1, 2020?

A lawsuit is now pending that may affect your rights.

A lawsuit has been filed against Richmond Police officers, concerning an incident at Lee Circle, in Richmond, Virginia. The incident occurred on June 1, 2020, between approximately 7:32 p.m. and 7:42 p.m. If you were affected by this incident, the lawsuit may affect your rights.

What Incident?

On June 1, 2020, many people assembled and marched to Lee Circle, in Richmond, Virginia, to protest police conduct. At approximately 7:32 p.m., members of the Richmond Police Department trained firearms on the assembly, and then dispersed the assembly with gas, chemical spray, batons, and other actions.

Who’s This About?

Some affected by the incident have filed lawsuits, and expect a case to proceed as a class action, if the Court agrees. The class action will, in effect, bring claims on behalf of all people affected by the incident, unless the individual specifically objects to his or her claims being included in the lawsuit. A resolution of a class action is final and binding on all class members whose claims are covered by the lawsuit.

Am I Affected?

The class action proposes to address the claims of any individual, excluding on-duty law enforcement personnel, present at Lee Circle (to include the enclosed park, the street, and the immediately adjacent road verge and sidewalks) in Richmond, Virginia, on June 1, 2020, to engage in a protected, First Amendment activity, and who witnessed, and was injured by or threatened by, the acts of violence or threats of violence perpetrated by Richmond Police officers, employees, or agents, at any time in the ten minute period beginning when Richmond Police openly trained firearms on the gathered assembly at approximately 7:32 p.m.

What Are the Claims?

The pending lawsuits bring claims for assault, battery, false imprisonment, and claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violations of constitutional rights under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Because an individual’s claims depend on how the individual was affected, some claims will not apply to all class members.

What Are My Rights?

You should consult competent legal client to discuss your rights. There are legal deadlines for you to take action to preserve your rights.

If the Court allows the current lawsuit to proceed as a class action, and you are a member of the class, you have a right to enter an appearance in the lawsuit through an attorney, if you desire. The Court will exclude from the lawsuit the claims of any class member that requests exclusion. There will be a deadline for requesting exclusion.

What Is the Next Step?

To coordinate matters, the attorneys at Commonwealth Law Group would like to communicate with you about the incident. You can also submit information online.

If you were affected, you will have to demonstrate that you were present and how you were affected. You should preserve the information you have that helps to show that you were present and how you are affected. This may include photos, videos, social media posts, items you had with you (including your clothes), contact information of third parties that saw that you were there, cell phone location data, and medical records and bills.

Is My Information Confidential?

Some of your information will have to be disclosed if the claims are resolved favorably for the class, to demonstrate that you were present and affected.