Man sues Portland police, city after protest acquittal

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A man acquitted of a criminal charge stemming from a public protest in Portland is suing the city and city and state police officers.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Wednesday that Jeremy Ibarra was arrested for disorderly conduct during a June 2017 demonstration in downtown Portland.

A jury acquitted the Hawaii resident in May.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court says police pursued a false arrest, used excessive force, and violated Ibarra’s First Amendment right to free speech and Fourth Amendment rights by engaging in mass detention.

The lawsuit says Ibarra was involved in a protest after the fatal stabbing of two men and the wounding of a third by a man believed to have made racist remarks to two African American girls riding a train.

A Portland police spokesman declined comment.