January 6 protesters seek millions in court for ‘physical and emotional injuries’ | CNN Politics

Several people who were at the US Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection are suing the police agencies that worked to defend the building that day, asking a federal court to award them millions of dollars in damages for the “physical and emotional injuries” they say were inflicted on them by law enforcement. The class action lawsuit filed Friday at a federal court in Florida contends that the actions of US Capitol Police and members of DC’s police department the day of the riot were an unjustified response to the incident, during which a large mob of supporters of President Donald Trump attempted to block Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential win. To push the crowd back from the iconic building and defend against the rioters, many of whom acted violently against the officers, the agencies deployed tear gas and other chemical irritants, as well police weapons. Those actions, the lawsuit claims, were excessive and are grounds for compensatory damages worth tens of millions of dollars for dozens of people. The named plaintiffs – Patrick Sullivan, Marie Sullivan and Alan E. Fischer – say they filed administrative claims for government compensa