Lawyers File Claim Against DHS After Agent Blinds Student at Protest
Attorneys representing Tucker Collins, an 18-year-old USC student blinded in his right eye by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer, announced plans to file a federal claim against the agency. The incident occurred on March 28 during a 'No Kings' rally in downtown Los Angeles, where Collins was allegedly documenting the event with his phone when he was struck by a projectile. While DHS stated that officers issued warnings before deploying crowd control measures against protesters throwing objects, Collins maintains he was peacefully recording and posed no threat. This legal action marks the first step toward a federal civil rights lawsuit. The case highlights ongoing tensions regarding law enforcement conduct during demonstrations, following recent judicial injunctions restricting the use of less-lethal munitions against protesters. Collins' legal team, which has represented numerous individuals injured by agents since last June, argues that federal officers cannot permanently maim peaceful observers without accountability. The filing underscores broader concerns about excessive force used by federal agencies during public protests in California.
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Lawyers File Claim Against DHS After Agent Blinds Student at Protest
Attorneys representing Tucker Collins, an 18-year-old USC student blinded in his right eye by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer, announced plans to file a federal claim against the agency. The incident occurred on March 28 during a 'No Kings' rally in downtown Los Angeles, where Collins was allegedly documenting the event with his phone when he was struck by a projectile. While DHS stated that officers issued warnings before deploying crowd control measures against protesters throwing objects, Collins maintains he was peacefully recording and posed no threat. This legal action marks the first step toward a federal civil rights lawsuit. The case highlights ongoing tensions regarding law enforcement conduct during demonstrations, following recent judicial injunctions restricting the use of less-lethal munitions against protesters. Collins' legal team, which has represented numerous individuals injured by agents since last June, argues that federal officers cannot permanently maim peaceful observers without accountability. The filing underscores broader concerns about excessive force used by federal agencies during public protests in California.
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