ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Jennifer Laureano stands between two photos of her son. One side shows Jason Rivera in typical times, the other sees him in a hospital bed with an eye swollen shut.
At a news conference on Tuesday, Chicago-based civil rights law firm Loevy & Loevy unveiled a federal lawsuit on behalf of Jennifer and Jason. The case names the City of Rockford and members of the Rockford Police Department as defendants with counts focused on excessive force against the son.
“He’s a good kid. He plays on a football team. He gets good grades. He goes to school regularly,” defended Jennifer. She turned her concerns to police and the city.
“They’re supposed to protect and serve us,” asserted Jennifer. “Who are we going trust if they’re not doing their job properly?”…