Los Angeles, California – Civil rights claims and a recent federal court order have intensified scrutiny of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department for their conduct during a series of protests, particularly the recent anti-ICE demonstrations.
Sergio Espejo, a demonstrator injured at a protest in downtown Los Angeles on June 14, has filed a civil rights claim against both the sheriff’s department and the city. The filing alleges that deputies used flash bang devices and less-lethal munitions in a manner that was excessive and indiscriminate, leading to multiple injuries. The claim describes the incident not as an isolated act but as part of a larger pattern of disproportionate and militarized responses to peaceful protests, particularly those involving marginalized communities.
In response, the sheriff’s department emphasized its internal protocols for use-of-force incidents, noting that all deputies receive extensive training on the use of less-lethal weapons and that their deployment is subject to department oversight. Still, civil rights attorneys argue that law enforcement officers regularly ignore established guidelines and state law during crowd control efforts…