Rochester City Councilmember Mary Lupien and County Legislator Rachel Barnhart are calling on the Department of Justice for a federal civil rights investigation into how law enforcement in Rochester has responded to the Daniel Prude protests.
Lupien and Barnhart say the First Amendment rights of Rochester citizens have been violated when police declared assemblies unlawful and use force to break up crowds. Both women were hit by pepper balls during demonstrations earlier this month, with Barnhart suffering a concussion after she was hit in the head.
Both say the use of force has been disproportionate and excessive.
Police have said they fired pepper balls, and in some cases tear gas, only after they were hit with rocks, bottles and fireworks thrown by people in the crowds.