Activist Vidal Guzman thinks his neighborhood park in Harlem is a great place to build endurance and get rid of stress. 

"I've always worked out and it's the best way to keep myself centered, it's balance," explained Guzman while doing arm dips. "It just helps out, especially everything that is happening right now."   

What You Need To Know

  • Eleven people are suing NYPD over police violence at June protests

  • Protesters claim they were beaten and pepper sprayed by officers

  • Lawsuit covers violence at twelve protests

  • New York Civil Liberties Union and Legal Aid Society are representing the protesters

By that he means a new lawsuit accusing the NYPD of excessive force and violence during Black Lives Matter protests after the death of George Floyd. Guzman is one of 11 plaintiffs who say cops attacked them at the height of protests from late May to late June. 

"Hurting them, putting them through the hospital. It was done in daylight," Guzman told NY1.

Guzman said he was pepper sprayed in the face while leading a May 30 demonstration in Lower Manhattan near the FDR Drive.

"And we were advocating and fighting to end police brutality, to be met with police brutality," Guzman explained.

Jarrett Payne said he was protesting near Trump Tower on June 2 when officers beat him bloody with batons.

 

 

 

Donna Lieberman is the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. She alleges officers beat up people for exercising their constitutional rights.

The NYCLU and the Legal Aid Society are suing on behalf of the 11 protesters. The suit, which names Mayor de Blasio, Police Commissioner Shea and other NYPD leaders, claims little was done to stop the police violence and that the aggressive action plan may have been orchestrated by City Hall and NYPD brass.

"Wielding their batons and charging at peaceful protesters, using their kettling technique to keep people from escaping the attack by the police, yes that's brutal, it's an assault and it's illegal," said Lieberman.
 


"We felt as we were marching in New York City that we weren’t New Yorkers the way that police treated us," said Guzman.

During the massive rallies, Mayor de Blasio and Police Commissioner Shea alternated between apologizing for aggressive police officers and blaming the protesters.

The lawsuit wants a judge to order city leaders to reveal their strategy dealing with the protests and whether officers were told to attack demonstrators protesting them. The protesters are also seeking unspecified damages.

"I will never forget the image of a police officer going up to a guy at a protest, pulling down the mask and shooting pepper spray into his face," said Lieberman.

That officer was suspended.

The plaintiffs say violence at the hands of police has made them even stronger and more determined to fight back against injustices.

"The Mayor has a long track record of police reform and strengthening the bonds between law enforcement and the community. We will review the allegations in the complaint and respond in court," said Kimberly Joyce, a law department spokesperson for City Hall.