Current:Home > MySupreme Court turns away appeal from Black Lives Matter activist facing lawsuit from police officer -Excel Wealth Summit
Supreme Court turns away appeal from Black Lives Matter activist facing lawsuit from police officer
View
Date:2025-04-19 17:28:55
Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday said it would not take up an appeal from Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson, who is facing a lawsuit from a Baton Rouge police officer who was hit in the head with an object during a protest in July 2016.
At issue in the case was whether the leader of a protest, Mckesson in this case, could be held liable for injuries inflicted by an unidentified person when the protest leader didn't authorize or direct the violent act.
The dispute arose after Alton Sterling, a Black man from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was shot and killed by a White police officer outside a convenience store on July 5, 2016. Sterling's death set off a wave of protests against police brutality, including one that began outside of the Baton Rouge Police Department on July 9, 2016.
During the demonstration, a police officer was struck in the face by a rock or piece or concrete thrown by an unidentified protester, losing teeth and suffering a brain injury, his lawyers said. The officer, identified in court papers as John Doe, sued Mckesson for negligence in federal court, arguing he knew the demonstration would lead to violence and failed to calm the crowd.
Mckesson, who is represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, said the First Amendment protects him from being sued.
The case has been weaving through the courts, beginning with a decision from a federal district court in 2017 that said Mckesson couldn't be sued. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit reversed that decision and said Mckesson could be liable. He appealed to the Supreme Court, which sent the dispute back for further proceedings on whether state law allows the lawsuit.
After the Louisiana Supreme Court said a protest leader could be sued for negligence, the 5th Circuit ruled in June 2023 that the lawsuit against Mckesson could move forward. The divided appeals court said that Mckesson allegedly created "unreasonably unsafe conditions" by organizing the protest to start in front of the police station and failed to take action to "dissuade his fellow demonstrators" once they began looting a grocery store and throwing items. Mckesson, the 5th Circuit said, also led the protest onto a public highway, a violation of Louisiana law.
The activist turned to the Supreme Court again, which on Monday declined to take up Mckesson's case. In a statement respecting the denial of the appeal, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the court's decision not to hear the case "expresses no view about the merits of Mckesson's claim." But Sotomayor pointed to a First Amendment decision from the Supreme Court last year and said she expects the 5th Circuit to "give full and fair consideration to arguments" regarding that ruling's impact in future proceedings in Mckesson's case.
- In:
- Black Lives Matter
Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.
TwitterveryGood! (871)
Related
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Archaeologists find mastodon skull in Iowa, search for evidence it interacted with humans
- Photos show 'incredibly rare' dead sea serpent surfacing in Southern California waters
- Native Americans go missing at alarming rates. Advocates hope a new alert code can help
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Here’s How Often the Sheets in the Love Island USA Villa Are Really Changed
- Jake Shane's popularity skyrocketed overnight. So did his anxiety.
- Boy Meets World Star Danielle Fishel Shares Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, R.A.s
Ranking
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Archaeologists find mastodon skull in Iowa, search for evidence it interacted with humans
- Bobby Bones Reacts to Julianne Hough Disagreeing With Dancing With the Stars Win
- Fed's pandemic-era vow to prioritize employment may soon be tested
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Powerball winning numbers for August 17 drawing: Jackpot rises to $35 million
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, R.A.s
- 3 exhumed Tulsa Race Massacre victims found with gunshot wounds
Recommendation
B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
George Santos due in court, expected to plead guilty in fraud case, AP source says
Taylor Swift finally sings long awaited 'Reputation' track
Favorable views of Kamala Harris have risen this summer heading into the DNC, AP-NORC poll shows
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
What happens when our Tesla Model Y's cameras can't see? Nothing good.
How Nevada aims to increase vocational education
Georgia governor doubles down on Medicaid program with work requirement despite slow start