Donald Trump is being sued by a group of protesters who say that the presidential candidate’s security team attacked them during a demonstration last week in New York City, according to court papers obtained by TheWrap.
In the lawsuit, Queens resident Efrain Galicia and others say that their “group of human rights activists of Mexican origin” were attacked by Trump’s security detail while protesting on the sidewalk adjacent to Trump Tower.
In addition to Trump, the suit names his campaign and Trump’s bodyguard, Keith Schiller.
“Plaintiffs were attacked and their property destroyed for the express purpose of interfering with their political speech while they were lawfully and peacefully assembled,” reads the lawsuit, filed in Supreme Court in New York.
According to the lawsuit, one of the activists was seized “with considerable force” and violently shoved, while another was forcefully grabbed by the wrist and thrust down onto the sidewalk.
The lawsuit goes on to claim that Schiller “swiftly and menacingly approached” Galicia and took a sign reading “Trump: Make America Racist Again” from him.
When Galicia attempted to take the sign back, the suit claims, Schiller “swung around and struck Galicia with a closed fist on the head with such force that it caused Galicia to stumble backwards.” Another security guard then “placed his hands around Galicia’s neck in an effort to choke him,” the complaint says.
As a result, the suit claims, the five plaintiffs suffered “physical and emotional pain, injuries, discomfort, embarrassment and humiliation, both past and future.”
A spokesperson for Trump has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.
The protesters seek unspecified damages for their allegations of assault and battery, conversion of destruction and property, and tortious interference with political speech.
An attorney for the plaintiffs told TheWrap that they also plan to file for a preliminary injunction restraining defendants from further assaults on the plaintiffs or from interfering with their rights to engage in public speech.