Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 31, 2008

PORT DEMONSTRATORS FILE CLAIM FOR DAMAGES AGAINST CITY OF OLYMPIA FOR POLICE BRUTALITY

The Evergreen Law Group announces its clients Larry Mosqueda, Daisy Montague, Adam Kohut, and William Hamilton filed claims against the City of Olympia today for damages arising out of last November's anti-war demonstrations at the Port of Olympia. Each individual suffered at least one unprovoked act of police brutality at the hands of the Olympia Police Department.

Mr. Mosqueda, a professor at The Evergreen State College, Ms. Montague and Mr. Kohut, students, and Mr. Hamilton, a Vietnam War veteran, each expressed concern about the current military action in Iraq, and it was to express that concern that each of them took part in the demonstrations at or near the Port of Olympia.

At those demonstrations, members of the Olympia Police Department attacked these claimants with batons, pepper spray, pepper bullets, and other less lethal weapons and tactics. These attacks were unprovoked and illegal.

The City of Olympia must be held accountable for the actions of its police officers. Each claimant is seeking damages in the amount of $2.6 million dollars.

This figure represents one dollar for each Iraqi forced to flee their home country, and each Iraqi killed as a result of the U.S. occupation.

Moreover, each claimant feels the City should do more to responsibly interact with the U.S. military, to properly train its police officers to respect the rights of City residents, and to take steps to eliminate police brutality.

The Evergreen Law Group P.S., founded in 2004, is an Olympia-based law firm which emphasizes civil and human rights. evergreenlawgrp.com

Contact:
Legrand Jones:         (360)352-8004
Christopher Taylor:  (360)352-8004
Matthew Bellmer:     (360)352-8004