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John
C. Murdock, Esq. (Ohio Bar No. 0063749)
Murdock, Goldenberg, Schneider & Groh, LPA
700 Walnut Street, Suite 400
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Trial Attorney (513) 345-8291
Robert
J, Muise* (MI P62849)
Thomas More Law Center
3475 Plymouth Road, Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4778
Counsel for Plaintiffs
(734) 827-2001
* Admitted pro hac vice
UNITED
STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT
OF OHIO
CENTER FOR BIOETHICAL REFORM, INC.,
MARK HARRINGTON, QUENTIN PATCH, and DALE HENDEL,
Plaintiffs,
CITY OF SPRINGBORO, a municipal entity, JEFFREY KRUITHOFF,
individually and in his official capacity as Chief of Police/Director
of Safety, Springboro Police Department, City of Springboro, TIM PARKER,
detective, Springboro Police Department, City of Springboro, in his individual
capacity, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, a municipal entity, DAVE VORE,
individually and in his official capacity as Sheriff, Montgomery County
Sheriff's Office, CLEARCREEK TOWNSHIP, a municipal entity, PETER
J. HERDT, individually and in his official capacity as Chief of Police,
Clearcreek Township Police Department, JEFF PIPER, police officer,
Clearcreek Township Police Department, in his individual capacity, JOHN
DOE-1, a fictitious name, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
("FBI"), individually and in his official capacity, JOHN
and JANE DOES 2 through 13, fictitious names, in their individual
capacities as law enforcement officerdagents with either the Springboro
Police Department, City of Springboro, Clearcreek Township Police Department,
or the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office,
Defendants.
Plaintiffs, by and though their undersigned attorneys, bring this First
Amended Complaint against the above-named Defendants, their employees,
agents, and successors in office, and in support therefore allege the
following upon information and belief:
INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
- This is a case asserting the fimdamental constitutional rights of
Plaintiffs, who are pro-life advocates who engage in lawful expressive
activity in Ohio and elsewhere in order to protest abortion and promote
respect for all human life. It is a civil rights action brought pursuant
to the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States
Constitution and 42 U.S.C. 8 1983, challenging the constitutionality
of the acts, policies, practices, andlor customs of Defendants.
- Plaintiffs seeks a declaration that Defendants deprived them of their
clearly established constitutional rights guaranteed by the First, Fourth,
and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and 42 U.S.C.
8 1983, a permanent i n j ~ c t i o ~ enjoining Defendants from preventing
Plantiffs fiom engaging in their lawful, expressive pro-life activity,
and a judgment awarding nominal, compensatory, and punitive damages
for the harm caused by Defendants and for Defendants' reckless, wanton,
intentional, and outrageous conduct. Plaintiffs also seek an award of
reasonable costs of litigation, including attorneys' fees and expenses.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
- This action arises under the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments
to the United States Constitution and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Jurisdiction
is conferred on this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331,
1343(a)(3), and 1346.
- Plaintiffs' claims for declaratory and injunctive relief are authorized
by 28 U.S.C. $5 2201 and 2202, by Rules 57 and 65 of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure, by 5 U.S.C. tj 702, and by the general legal and
equitable powers of this Court.
- Plaintiffs claim for damages is made pursuant to the First and Fourth
Amendments to the United States Constitution and 42 U.S.C. tj 1983.
Plaintiffs' prayer for relief 2 regarding costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 8 1988 and 28 U.S.C. 5 2412.
- Venue is proper under 28 U.S.C. 8 1391(b) & (e) because a substantial
part of the events or omissions giving rise to Plaintiffs' claims occurred
in this district. Pursuant to S.D. Ohio Civ. R. 82.1, venue in the Dayton
location of the Western Division of the Southern District of Ohio is
proper because one or more defendants reside in Montgomery County, Ohio,
and a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to Plaintiffs'
claims occurred in Montgomery County, Ohio.
PLAINTIFFS
- Plaintiff Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, Inc. ("CBR'), is a
pro-life, California- based, non-profit org~zation. It is a 501(c)(3)
organization that is incorporated under the laws of California. CBR
was established in 1990 as a non-profit public policy and advocacy group
to promote prenatal justice and the right to life for the unborn, the
disabled, the infirm, the aged, and all vulnerable peoples through education
and the development of innovative educational programs. One such educational
program is the Reproductive Choice Campaign ("RCC"). The RCC
consists of large, colorful pictures depicting graphic images of first-term
aborted fetuses displayed on the sides of box-body style trucks that
are owned by CBR and operated by CBR employees and volunteers. Each
displayed picture is accurately captioned as to age, in weeks since
fertilization. Above each picture is also captioned the word "Choice."
The purpose of this educational program is to expose as many people
as possible to the reality of "Choice," a term that is at
the heart of the abortion controversy. The RCC demonstrates to onlookers
that "Choice" is the killing of innocent human life, and not
some sterile, innocuous term. CBR employees and volunteers drive these
trucks along the streets and highways of major cities and 3 towns throughout
the United States, including the streets and highways of cities and
towns in Ohio.
- Plaintiff Mark Harrington is an adult resident of Ohio and a citizen
of the United States. Plaintiff Harrington is the executive director
of the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform Midwest, the Ohio-based affiliate
of Plaintiff CBR. As the Midwest executive director, Plaintiff Harrington
directs and participates in the activities of CBR, including the activities
related to the RCC, throughout the Midwest region of the United States,
including Ohio. On or about June 10, 2002, Plaintiff Harrington was
driving one of the RCC trucks on the streets and highways of Ohio.
- Plaintiff Quentin Patch is an adult resident of Ohio, a citizen of
the United States, and a CBR volunteer. As part of his volunteer work,
Plaintiff Patch would often drive the RCC trucks in Ohio and elsewhere.
On or about June 10,2002, Plaintiff Patch was driving one of the RCC
trucks on the streets and highways of Ohio.
- Plaintiff Dale Henkel is an adult resident of Ohio, a citizen of
the United States, and a CBR volunteer. As part of his volunteer work,
Plaintiff Henkel would assist with the RCC project, including driving
an escort vehicle owned by CBR that would accompany the RCC trucks during
their travels. On or about June 10, 2002, Plaintiff Henkel was accompanying
the RCC trucks in an escort vehicle as the trucks traveled the streets
and highways of Ohio.
DEVENDANTS
- Defendant City of Springboro is a municipal entity organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Ohio. At all relevant times,
it employed the City of Springboro police officers, including Defendant
Jeffrey Kruithoff, the Chief of Police and Director of Safety, Defendant
Tim Parker, a detective, and certain Doe Defendants, who are unknown
at this time.
- Defendant Jeffiey Kruithoff is the Chief of Police for the Springboro
Police Department and the Director of Safety in the City of Springboro,
Ohio. Defendant Knrithoff is responsible for enforcing the laws in the
City of Springboro, and he is responsible for adopting rules and regulations,
setting and determining policy, and overseeing the operations of the
Springboro Police Department and its employees, including Defendant
Parker and certain Defendant Doe police officers, who are unknown at
this time. Defendant b i t h o f f is responsible for the acts, policies,
practices, andlor customs of the Springboro Police Department and its
employees. At all relevant times, Defendant Kruithoff was an agent,
servant, and/or employee of Defendant City of Springboro, acting under
color of state law as that phrase is used in 42 U.S.C. tj 1983. Defendant
Kruithoff is sued individually and in his official capacity.
- Defendant Tim Parker is a detective with the Springboro Police Department
in the City of Springboro, Ohio. At all relevant times, Defendant Parker
was an agent, servant, and/or employee of the Springboro Police Department,
acting under color of state law as that phrase is used in 42 U.S.C.
fj 1983. Defendant Parker is sued in his individual capacity.
- Defendant Montgomery County is a municipal entity organized and existing
under the laws of the State of Ohio. At all relevant times, it employed
the law enforcement officers of the Montgomery County Sheriffs Department,
including Defendant Dave Vore, the Sheriff, and certain Doe Defendants,
who are unknown at this time.
- Defendant Dave Vore is the Sheriff for the Montgomery County Sheriffs
Department, Montgomery County, Ohio. Defendant Vore is responsible for
enforcing the laws in Montgomery County, and he is responsible for adopting
rules and regulations, setting and determining policy, and overseeing
the operations of the Montgomery County Sheriff s Department and its
employees, including certain Defendant Doe law enforcement officers,
who are unknown at this time. Defendant Vore is responsible for the
acts, policies, practices, and/or customs of the Montgome~ County Sheriffs
Department and its employees. At all relevant times, Defendant Vore
was an agent, servant, and/or employee of Defendant Montgomery County,
acting under color of state law as that phrase is used in 42 U.S.C.
5 1983. Defendant Vore is sued individually and in his official capacity.
- Defendant Clearcreek Township is a municipal entity organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Ohio. At all relevant times,
it employed the Clearcreek Township police officers, including Defendant
Peter J. Herdt, the Chief of Police, Defendant Jeff Piper, and certain
Doe Defendants, who are unknown at this time.
- Defendant Peter J. Herdt is the Chief of Police for the Clearcreek
Township Police Department in Clearcreek Township, Ohio. Defendant Herdt
is responsible for enforcing the laws in Clearcreek Township, and he
is responsible for adopting rules and regulations, setting and determining
policy, and overseeing the operations of the Clearcreek Township Police
Department and its employees, including Defendant Piper and certain
Defendant Doe police officers, who are unknown at this time, Defendant
Herdt is responsible for the acts, policies, practices, and/or customs
of the Clearcreek Township Police Department and its employees. At all
relevant times, Defendant Herdt was an agent, servant, and/or employee
of Defendant Clearcreek Township, acting under color of state law as
that phrase is used in 42 U.S.C. 8 1983. Defendant Herdt is sued individually
and in his official capacity.
- Defendant Jeff Piper is a police officer with the Clearcreek Township
Police Department. At all relevant times, Defendant Piper was an agent,
servant, and/or employee of the Clearcreek Township Police Department,
acting under color of state law as that phrase is used in 42 U.S.C.
6 1983. Defendant Piper is sued in his individual capacity.
- Defendant John Doe-1 is an agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation
("FBI"). At all relevant times, Defendant John Doe-1 was an
agent, servant, and/or employee of the FBI, acting under color of state
law and/or federal authority. Defendant John Doe-1 is sued individually
and in his official capacity.
- Defendants John and Jane Does 2 through 13, fictitious narnes of
persons unknown at this time, are state law enforcement officers who
work for various police and sheriff departments in Ohio, including the
Springboro Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Department,
and the Clearcreek Township Police Department. At all relevant times,
Defendants John and Jane Does 2 through 13 were agents, servants, and/or
employees of state law enforcement agencies, acting under color of state
law as that phrase is used in 42 U.S.C. 5 1983. Defendants John and
Jane Does 2 through 1 3 are sued in their individual capacities.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
- On or about June 10, 2002, Plaintiffs were traveling the public streets
and highways of Ohio in the RCC trucks, which displayed graphic images
of aborted babies.
- Plaintiffs were driving the trucks on June 10, 2002, as part of CBR's
RCC campaign. The purpose of the RCC campaign is to express CBR's pro-life
message to as many viewers as possible. Plaintiffs Harrington and Patch
were each driving one of the RCC trucks, and Plaintiff Henkel was driving
the escort vehicle, a Ford Crown Victoria sedan, Altogether, three vehicles
were involved in the project on this day.
- Plaintiffs commenced their pro-life speech activity on June 10, 2002,
at approximately 7:OO a.m. They traveled in the RCC trucks on the public
streets and highways of several counties in the Dayton, Ohio area. They
displayed their pro-life message on the public streets and highways
for more than eight hours without incident.
- At ap~roximately 4:OO p.m., Plaintiffs decided to cease their pro-life
activity for the day. It had been a long and hot afternoon driving in
the vehicles; the temperature and humidity were particularly high that
day.
- Plaintiffs drove to the private residence of two pro-life volunteers
who offered to let Plaintiffs park their vehicles on their property
for the evening. Upon arriving at the residence, Plaintiffs saw that
the driveway was long and winding with several low-hanging tree branches.
Plaintiffs were concerned that the trucks might not be able to travel
the driveway. As such, Plaintiffs pulled their vehicles to the side
of the road so that they could take a closer look at the driveway to
determine whether the trucks could safely make it to the residence.
- While the trucks were pulled over, one Defendant from the Clearcreek
Township Police Department arrived in a marked police cruiser. This
Defendant observed the large, graphic pictures on the sides of the trucks,
and he approached Plaintiff Patch, who was sitting in the driver's seat
of one of the RCC trucks. The Defendant asked Plaintiff Patch if they
were lost or needed any assistance. Plaintiff Patch told the Defendant
that they were part of a pro-life advocacy group called CBR, that they
were just finishing their tour of several counties of the Dayton area
with their pro-life project, and that they were trying to get down the
driveway to park their vehicles for the evening. The Defendant departed
the area without hrther investigation.
- All three of CBR's vehicles made it partially down the driveway.
However, because of the obstructions, Plaintiff Harrington decided not
to go any further and risk possible damage to the vehicles. While the
trucks were in the driveway, Plaintiffs covered the graphic signs, as
they typically do when they are finished for the day. They planned to
drive the RCC trucks to their alternate overnight ocation, a local church
parking lot. The pastor of the church had given them pe~ission to do
so.
- While the trucks were backing out onto the two-lane road, several
police cruisers driven by some of the Defendants arrived. Plaintiff
Henkel was guiding the trucks for safety reasons as they backed out
onto the street; his escort vehicle was parked at the mouth of the driveway.
- After the first truck driven by Plaintiff Patch pulled out, approximately
two police cruisers driven by some of the Defendants followed Plaintiff
Patch down the road. After Plaintiff Harrington pulled out, a police
cruiser driven by one Defendant followed him down the road. Moments
after Plaintiff Harrington pulled out and started down the road, approximately
five more police cruisers driven by some of the Defendants pulled up
to the driveway and blocked Plaintiff Henkel' s vehicle, preventing
him fkom leaving. One Defendant told Plaintiff Henkel to stay away from
his vehicle and requested to search Plaintiff Henkel's vehicle. Believing
that he had no alternative because of the show of authority of the strong
law enforcement presence and the fact that the Defendants were blocking
his vehicle, Plaintiff Henkel told the Defendant that "he had nothing
to hide." The Defendant searched Plaintiff Henkel's vehicle, including
his personal items that were in the vehicle. The Defendant also photographed
some of the items he was searching, including the vehicle.
- Throughout his detention and the search of his personal items, Plaintiff
Henkel kept asking the Defendants who were present to explain to him
why he was being detained. Plaintiff Henkel also clearly expressed to
these Defendants that he wanted to leave. The Defendants only responses
were "Stay over there-stay away from the car," "stay
put," "stay there," or "don't go anywhere."
One Defendant stood over Plaintiff Henkel as Plaintiff Henkel was made
to sit under a tree while certain Defendants searched his vehicle.
- Because of the extreme heat of the day, Plaintiff Henkel asked one
of the Defendants if he could have a drink of water from the water bottle
he had with his personal items in his car. The Defendants waited for
more than thirty minutes before allowing Plaintiff Henkel to have a
drink of water.
- Approximately twelve to fifteen law enforcement officers were present
with Plaintiff Henkel. At no time during Plaintiff Henkel's detention
did any Defendant explain to him why he was being held. After more than
three hours of being detained outside in the heat of the day, the Defendants
finally let Plaintiff Henkel leave. Throughout Plaintiff Henkel' s detention,
many curious neighbors and other passersby stopped to see what Defendants
were doing, causing extreme embarrassment for Plaintiff Henkel. At the
end of this ordeal, Defendants did not cite or otherwise charge Plaintiff
Henkel with having committed any violation of the law. Plaintiff Henkel
did not receive so much as a traffic citation from any of the Defendants.
- While Plaintiff Henkel was being detained, approximately four police
cruisers driven by some of the Defendants put on their flashing lights
and pulled over the RCC trucks driven by Plaintiffs Patch and Harrington.
The Defendants detained Plaintiffs Patch and Harrington approximately
a half a mile down the road from where Plaintiff Henkel was being detained.
- Upon seeing the police cruisers with their lights flashing, Plaintiffs
Patch and Harrington immediately pulled over. They were pulled over
into a residential subdivision.
- Approximately six or seven police cruisers driven by some of the
Defendants arrived at the location where Plaintiffs Patch and Harrington
were detained. Police cruisers were parked to the front and rear of
the RCC trucks, preventing Plaintiffs Patch and Harrington from being
able to leave.
- Moments after pulling them over, several Defendants exited their
vehicles, unlatched their firearms, and maneuvered in a tactical fashion
toward the Plaintiffs, who were sitting in the driver seats of the RCC
trucks.
- Plaintiff Patch raised his hands over his head and slowly exited
his vehicle. Plaintiff Patch was extremely nervous; he feared that certain
Defendants would draw and possibly fire their weapons at him.
- Plaintiff Harrington exited his vehicle and was immediately interrogated
by one Defendant. Both Plaintiffs Patch and Harrington immediately provided
Defendants with their driver's licenses. Plaintiff Patch started feeling
ill; he was light-headed and believed he was going to faint. As a result,
Plaintiff Patch sat down on the side of the road.
- Plaintiff Harrington explained to Defendants what they were doing.
Defendants requested to inspect the trucks. Believing that he had no
alternative because of the show of authority of the strong law enforcement
presence and the fact that the Defendants were blocking his trucks,
Plaintiff Harrington told them that they could. When one Defendant started
going through Plaintiff Harrington's personal items he had in a small
bag in the truck, Plaintiff Harrington asked the Defendant if that was
necessary. The Defendant curtly responded, "You already gave your
permission" or words to that effect, and proceeded with the search.
- Throughout the detention and search, Plaintiff Harrington kept asking
the Defendants who were present to explain to him why they were being
detained. One Defendant responded, "We don't know the answer to
that, our supervisors will let you know," or words to that effect.
Plaintiff Harrington also expressed to the Defendants that he and Plaintiff
Patch wanted to leave. Plaintiff Harrington told the Defendants to either
charge them with an offense or let them go. Plaintiff Patch also told
the Defendants in a loud, clear, and unambiguous manner that they were
being detained against their will and that they wanted to leave. Defendants'
responded by simply telling the Plaintiffs that they were not Eree to
go and that they had to wait. Defendants indicated that they were waiting
for fbrther instructions from their supervisors, who appeared to be
directing their actions. Defendants' supervisors included Defendants
Kruithoff, Vore, and Herdt.
- During the search of the trucks, which were empty except for a few
hand-held pro-life signs, Defendants photographed the signs as well
as the inside and outside of the trucks. Defendants also made Plaintiffs
Patch and Harrington display the large photographs that were attached
to the sides of the RCC trucks so they could photo~aph those signs as
well. This required Plaintiffs Patch and Harrington to roll up the six
heavy tarps that covered the large signs on the sides of the two trucks,
a difficult and physically exhausting task, particularly during the
heat of the day. During the search, Defendants photographed and measured
each of the pro-life signs. During this search and the continued detention,
many people from nearby residences came out to watch what the Defendants
were doing to Plaintiffs. This was extremely embarrassing and damaging
to Plaintiffs, particularly since it clearly appeared to the onlookers
that these pro-life advocates were breaking the law and were being treated
as dangerous criminals.
- After a couple of hours had passed, Defendant John Doe-1 arrived,
Defendant John Doe-1 approached Plaintiff Harrington, got right up in
Plaintiff Harrington's face, and was 12 extremely hostile to Plaintiff
Harrington. When Plaintiff Harrington asked Defendant John Doe- 1 to
explain why they were being held, Defendant John Doe-1 responded by
stating, "You only answer me when I speak to you," or words
to that effect. Defendant John Doe-1 then demanded that Plaintiff Harrington
give him his driver's license. Plaintiff Harrington obeyed this command,
surrendered his license, and then asked again why he and the other Plaintiffs
were being detained. Defendant John Doe- 1 grabbed Plaintiff Harrington
by the shoulder and forcibly led him behind one of the trucks. Plaintiff
Harrington told Plaintiff Patch to take a picture of this, and Defendant
John Doe-1 grabbed the camera from Plaintiff Patch's hand. Plaintiff
Harrington felt threatened by Defendant John Doe- 1 's actions and believed
that Defendant John Doe-1 was going to assault him. Defendant John Doe-1
proceeded to interrogate Plaintiff Harrington about CBR's activities.
At one point, Defendant John Doe-1 stated, "You may not be going
anywhere if you don't cooperate," or words to that effect.
- After the Defendants subjected Plaintiffs Patch and Harrington to
more than three hours of detention and harassment, Defendants allowed
them to leave. At the end of this ordeal, Defendants did not cite or
otherwise charge Plaintiffs Patch or Harrington with having committed
any violation of the law. Plaintiffs did not receive so much as a traffic
citation from any of the Defendants. During the detention, one Defendant
stated, "This is pretty gross. I can't believe you do this stuff'
and "You should find another way to get your message out,"
or words to that effect, referring to Plaintiffs' pro-life activity.
- Defendants have a policy, practice, and/or custom of "profiling"
pro-life demonstrators, such as Plaintiffs, as criminals. This policy,
practice, andlor custom was the moving force and proximate cause of
the deprivation of Plaintiffs' constitutional rights as set forth in
this First Amended Complaint.
- Throughout the detention, Plaintiffs did not believe that they were
free to leave. Indeed, Defendants told Plaintiffs that they could not
leave, and Defendants positioned their vehicles so as to make it impossible
for Plaintiffs to leave. Furthermore, Plaintiffs had no option but to
subject their vehicles and personal property to a thorough and intrusive
search by the Defendants. As a result of Defendants' actions, Plaintiffs
suffered fear, humiliation, shame, indignity, worry, embarrassment,
loss of reputation, and emotional and physical distress.
- Defendants' conduct was done in a reckless, wanton, intentional,
and outrageous manner, and with deliberate indifference to and disregard
for the clearly established constitutional rights of Plaintiffs.
FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF (FREEDOM OF SPEECH)
- Plaintiffs hereby incorporate by reference all above paragraphs.
- By reason of the aforementioned acts and omissions, engaged in under
the color of state law and/or federal authority, Defendants have f constitutionally
deprived Plaintiffs of their freedom of speech rights guaranteed to
them under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as
applied to the states and their political subdivisions under the Fourteenth
Amendment, and 42 U.S.C. 5 1983, in that Defendants, through their acts,
policies, practices, and/or customs, unlawfully and unreasonably detained
and searched Plaintiffs because of their pro-life speech activity.
- As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' violation of Plaintiffs'
rights, Plaintiffs have suffered direct and irreparable injury, and
they are entitled to damages.
SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF (FREEDOM OF SPEECH CONSPIRACY)
- Plaintiffs hereby incorporate by reference all above paragraphs.
- By reason of the aforementioned acts and omissions, and policies,
practices, and/or customs, engaged in under the color of state law andor
federal authority, Defendants have conspired to unconstitutionally deprive
Plaintiffs of their right to freedom of speech guaranteed under the
First Amendment to the United States Constitution as applied to the
states and their political subdivisions under the Fourteenth Amendment,
and 42 U.S.C. tj 1983, in that Defendants agreed to and engaged in overt
acts that did unlawfully and unreasonably detain Plaintiffs because
of their pro-life speech activities.
- As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' violation of Plaintiffs'
rights, Plaintiffs have suffered direct and irreparable injury, and
they are entitled to damages.
CLAIM FOR RELIEF (UNLAWFUL SEARCH AND SEIZURE)
- Plaintiffs hereby incorporate by reference all above paragraphs.
- By reason of the aforementioned acts and omissions, and policies,
practices, and/or customs, engaged in under the color of state law and/or
federal authority, Defendants unconstitutionally searched Plaintiffs'
vehicles and personal property and unconstitutionally seized Plaintiffs'
persons, vehicles, and other property, without a warrant, without probable
cause or reasonable suspicion that a crime had been, was being, or would
be committed, and without valid consent, and thus deprived Plaintiffs
of their rights to be free of unreasonable police searches and seizures,
to be fiee of warrantless searches and seizures, and to be free of searches
and seizures without probable cause, which are guaranteed to them under
the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as applied to
the states and their political subdivisions under the Fourteenth Amendment,
and 42 U.S.C. 5 1983.
- As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' violation of Plaintiffs'
rights, Plaintiffs have suffered direct and irreparable injury, and
they are entitled to damages.
FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF (UNLAWFUL SEARCH AND SEIZU NSPIRACU)
- Plaintiffs hereby incorporate by reference all above paragraphs.
- By reason of the aforementioned acts and omissions, and policies,
practices, andlor customs, engaged in under the color of state law and/or
federal authority, Defendants have conspired to unconstitutionally deprive
Plaintiffs of their rights guaranteed under the Fourth Amendment to
the United States Constitution as applied to the states and their political
subdivisions under the Fourteenth Amendment, and 42 U.S.C. 5 1983, in
that Defendants agreed and engaged in overt acts to unlawfblly stop
and seize Plaintiffs and to stop, search, and seize Plaintiffs' vehicles
and personal property without a warrant, without probable cause or reasonable
suspicion that a crime had been, was being, or would be committed, and
without valid consent, and thus deprived Plaintiffs of their rights
to be free of unreasonable police searches and seizures, to be free
of warrantless searches and seizures, and to be free of searches and
seizures without probable cause which are guaranteed to them under the
Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as applied to the
states and their political subdivisions under the Fourteenth Amendment,
and 42 U.S.C. 5 1983.
- As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' violation of Plaintiffs'
rights, Plaintiffs have suffered direct and irreparable injury, and
they are entitled to damages.
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully ask this Court for the following:
A) to perrnanently enjoin Defendants, their employees, agents, and successors
in office from formulating, adopting, implementing, and/or enforcing
any act, policy, practice, custom, law, and/or decision having the effect
of unlawFully preventing Plaintiffs from engaging in peaceful, constitutionally
protected pro-life 16 activity, including displaying signs depicting
images of aborted babies, fetuses, or human embryos on the sides of
box-body style trucks, in the traditional public fora of Ohio and elsewhere;
to permanently enjoin Defendants, their employees, agents, and successors
in B) office from formulating, adopting, implementing, and/or enforcing
any act, policy, practice, custom, law, and/or decision having the effect
of unlawfully searching and seizing the property of Plaintiffs without
probable cause, without a warrant, and without valid consent, including
searching and seizing Plaintiff CBR' s vehicles that display signs depicting
images of aborted babies, fetuses, or human embryos; to enter judgment
declaring that Defendants' acts, practices, policies, and/or customs
were unlawful and unconstitutional as set forth in this First Amended
Complaint; to award Plaintiffs nominal, compensatory, and punitive damages;
C) D) E) to award Plaintiffs their reasonable attorneys' fees, costs,
and expenses pursuant to 42 U.S.C. tj 1988,28 U.S.C. tj 2412, and other
applicable law; and F) to grant such other and further relief as this
Court should find just and proper. Respecthlly submitted this /746 day
of March, 2003
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