A number of people who were present at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th are seeking tens of millions in damages from the federal government.

Filed this week in Florida, the lawsuit targets the actions of the U.S. Capitol Police and Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department.

It alleges that law enforcement used excessive and “indiscriminate” force against protesters, resulting in physical and emotional injuries.

Officers allegedly fired rubber bullets, chemical spray, flashbangs, and other crowd-control measures in a reckless manner, affecting individuals who were not engaged in violence.

Attorneys argue that the response failed to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and those involved in confrontations.

The lawsuit states:

This is a Federal Tort Claims Act (“FTCA”) class action seeking money damages for injuries caused when the police indiscriminately launched explosive munitions, chemical agents, and impact projectiles into a peaceful crowd and physically assaulted members of the crowd that was assembled on the west side outdoor terrace and grounds of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.

…

The actions of the police caused physical and emotional injuries, including but not limited to chemical burns, concussive trauma, emotional distress, and other damages to plaintiffs, class members and thousands of other protesters.

…

The indiscriminate shooting of munitions into the crowd went on for well over an hour. The police admitted on video an hour after the shooting started that the munitions being shot into the crowd were “hitting innocent people.”

Among the lead plaintiffs is A.J. Fischer, an Air Force Veteran who was previously charged with assault before receiving a pardon from President Trump.

He is joined by Patrick and Marie Sullivan, who were present in the crowd and were struck by pepper balls and exposed to chemical agents, despite not facing any criminal charges.

The legal action seeks to establish a broader class of plaintiffs, potentially including dozens of others who were present on the Capitol’s West Front.

The case comes as the Trump administration has already reached settlements in other high-profile cases involving supporters.

These include a multimillion-dollar settlement with the estate of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot inside the Capitol, and a $1.25 million settlement with former national security adviser Michael Flynn.

Trump DOJ Agrees to $5 Million Settlement to Family of Ashli Babbitt

The lawsuit has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul Byron in Florida and is expected to be heard in the coming weeks.

The post J6 Protesters Sue Capitol Police For ‘Indiscriminate’ Use of Force, Seek Tens of Millions in Damages appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed to reporters that the US intervened on Sunday after Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo were stopped by Israeli police upon attempting to enter and hold mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week.

Following a statement on the incident by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Sunday evening that Pizzaballa would be given “full and immediate access” to the Church, the Daily Caller’s Reagan Reese asked Leavitt if this was a result of US intervention.

Leavitt confirmed that the Trump Administration “did express our concerns with Israel, with respect to these holy sites being shut down,” and that Israel will work to ensure worshipers can safely access the holy sites in Jerusalem.

WATCH:

Reese: Netanyahu said Sunday that Cardinal Pizzaballa will be able to hold services for Palm Sunday in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre after he was initially blocked by Israeli police. Did anyone from the administration or the President call over to Israeli officials to assist the Cardinal?

Leavitt: Yes, I did speak with Secretary Rubio this morning, and we did express our concerns with Israel, with respect to these holy sites being shut down. We want worshipers to be able to access these holy sites. Of course, safety is a top priority, but we understand Israel is working on those security measures to reopen the sites throughout Holy Week, and that’s something that we’re appreciative of.

As The Gateway Pundit reported yesterday, Cardinal Pizzaballa and Reverend Fr. Francesco Ielpo were barred from holding a Palm Sunday mass in Jerusalem.

This led to criticism from world leaders and the Catholic Church.

Several world leaders condemned the action and accused Israel of violating the religious freedom of Catholics. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described it as an “unfortunate overreach” which is “difficult to understand or justify.”

The Patriarchate of Jerusalem also said the move was a “hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations,” adding that it “represents an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness.”

The Prime Minister of Israel’s office, in a statement, defended the incident, writing, “Out of special concern for his safety, Jerusalem police prevented the Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pizzaballa from holding mass this morning at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.” The statement continued, “There was no malicious intent whatsoever, only concern for his safety and that of his party.”

On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had instructed Israeli authorities to allow Cardinal Pizzaballa “immediate access” to the church following the backlash. He also said the measure was taken “out of special concern for his safety.”

MORE:

JUST IN: Cardinal Pizzaballa Stopped by Israeli Police and Denied Entry to Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem for Palm Sunday Mass – Ambassador Mike Huckabee Condemns “Overreach”

The post (VIDEO) Karoline Leavitt Responds to Cardinal Pizzaballa Being Blocked by Israeli Police from Entering Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday – Says US Intervened appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.