Civil rights groups sue Trump, Barr over assault on peaceful protesters to click picture
Trump and Barr
The American Civil Liberties Unionand other civil rights groups are suing Donald Trump, William Barr and other federal officials over theassault on peaceful protesters near the White House on Monday, to allow the president to hold a photo op at a historic church.
US President Donald Trump holds a Bible while visiting St. John's Church Photograph:( AFP )
According toa release from the ACLU of the District of Columbia, the lawsuit filed on behalf of Black Lives Matter DC and individual protesters accuses Trump and the other officials are accused of ''violating their constitutional rights and engaging in an unlawful conspiracy to violate those rights.''
The Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the law firm of Arnold andPorter also filed the suit.
Protesters demonstrating over thekilling of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapoliswere gassed, shot withrubber bulletsand forcefully cleared on Barr’s orders so Trump could walk to St John’s church, the so-called Church of the Presidents, andhold up a Bible in a photo opmeant to reassure evangelical supporters.