Occupy activists sue Los Angeles over treatment in sweep
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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Activists with Occupy Los Angeles have filed a suit against the city for what they allege was harsh police treatment as they were swept off City Hall grounds over a year ago, court documents show.
An estimated 1,400 officers drove about 300 demonstrators off the grounds on Nov 30 last year. The activists had been camping out for eight weeks to support the Occupy Wall Street movement against economic inequality and wealth disparities.
In the federal suit filed in US District Court in California's central district on Dec 20, five people are suing in the class action lawsuit meant to represent 292 people detained in the raid.
The suit names the city and county of Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Police Department Chief Charlie Beck.
