NewsAmerica in Crisis

Actions

Judge rules Detroit Police can't use batons, gas or rubber bullets on protesters

Posted
and last updated

A federal judge ruled that Detroit police officers cannot use batons, shields, gas or bullets against protesters for at least the next two weeks.

U.S. District Court Judge Laurie Michelson issued a ruling Friday night partially granting a temporary restraining order in the lawsuit filed by activist group Detroit Will Breathe against the City of Detroit and Detroit Police Department.

In the order, Michelson ruled that the city cannot use "striking weapons, chemical agents, or rubber bullets" against the protesters who do not pose a physical threat to the safety of the public or the police. Officers also cannot use chokeholds against the protesters.

"The Court recognizes that police officers are often faced with dangerous and rapidly evolving situations while trying to enforce the law and maintain the safety of the public. And it is important that police officers have non-lethal options to use to protect themselves and the public when necessary," Michelson wrote. "And any possible benefit police officers could gain from deploying chemical agents, projectiles, or striking weapons against demonstrators who pose no threat and are not resisting lawful commands is outweighed by the irreparable harm peaceful protestors would face."

Michelson ruled in part that police officers using excessive force does violate the protesters First and Fourth Amendment rights.

Citing different videos as evidence, Michelson wrote it "establishes that at least some Plaintiffs have a likelihood of success on their claims that the DPD used excessive force against them."

This article was written by WXYZ.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Saturday

04/19/2025

Clear

-° / 54°

1%

Sunday

04/20/2025

Mostly Clear

84° / 57°

0%

Monday

04/21/2025

Clear

87° / 57°

0%

Tuesday

04/22/2025

Mostly Clear

88° / 58°

0%

Wednesday

04/23/2025

Mostly Clear

85° / 55°

0%

Thursday

04/24/2025

Partly Cloudy

80° / 52°

2%

Friday

04/25/2025

Mostly Clear

74° / 51°

5%

Saturday

04/26/2025

Clear

72° / 50°

4%