By Bob Walsh
Acting yesterday (07-14) a group of Donald Trump supporters filed suit against the San Jose (CA) PD, alleging that officers stood around while the Trumpists were physically attacked and battered.
The fourteen plaintiffs were attendees at a Donald Trump rally on June 2. The federal civil rights lawsuit asserts that the plaintiffs were deprived of their rights to free speech and to peacefully assembly by actions (or inactions) of Mayor Sam Liccardo, Chief of Police Eddie Garcia and 40-odd other people.
One of the injured Trumpists was a 71-year old woman whose glasses were broken when she was physically attacked by three “protesters.” Another is the vice-Chair of the California Republican Party, who is a lawyer.
The chief issued a statement the day AFTER the incident denouncing the violence. The mayor is a solid Hillary Clinton supporter.
The SJPD has in fact arrested seven “protesters”, all teenagers. The anti-Trump mob numbered about 400.
There is a long legal history in this country that the police have no specific duty to protect any specific person but rather a general duty to protect the public at large except under highly unusual circumstances. There are numerous court cases to support this position. Taking the angle that by their non-action the cops were complicit in depriving the Trumpists of their civil rights is an interesting approach. It will be amusing to see how this shakes out.
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