Johnson v. Pawtucket

  • Filed: 06/01/2020
  • Status: Active
  • Latest Update: Jun 01, 2020
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This is a lawsuit against the City of Pawtucket over a School Resource Officer’s (SRO) unlawful handcuffing and arrest of a 13-year-old African-American middle school honors student.

This is a lawsuit against the City of Pawtucket over a School Resource Officer’s (SRO) unlawful handcuffing and arrest of a 13-year-old African-American middle school honors student.

Attorney(s):
Shannah Kurland, Lynette Labinger

ACLU Sues Pawtucket School Officials Over Unlawful Arrest of 13-Year-Old Honors Student

As conflict over race-based discriminatory police practices permeates the country, ACLU of RI cooperating attorneys Shannah Kurland and Lynette Labinger today filed suit in federal court over a Pawtucket School Resource Officer’s (SRO) gratuitous and unlawful handcuffing and arrest last year of Tre’sur Johnson, a 13-year-old African-American honors student at Goff Middle School. The suit alleges that the defendants’ treatment of her violated numerous constitutional and statutory rights, including her right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

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ACLU Takes Legal Action over Unlawful Arrest of 13-Year-Old Honors Student

A legal claim for damages has been sent today to the City of Pawtucket over a School Resource Officer’s (SRO) gratuitous and unlawful handcuffing and arrest of a 13-year-old African-American middle school honors student. The damages claim was submitted by ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorney Shannah Kurland as a required legal prerequisite to the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of the student, Tre’sur Johnson.

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Judge Refuses to Dismiss Lawsuit Over School Arrest of 13-Year-Old Black Honors Student

A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit on behalf of a 13-year-old Black honors student who was handcuffed and arrested by a Pawtucket school resource officer who wanted to "make an example" of her.

Breaking News

ACLU Sues Narragansett Over Unlawful Assault and Arrest of Special Education Student

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorney Amato DeLuca filed suit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO) over a rude hand gesture the student gave the SRO. A videotaped record of the incident, which occurred two years ago, shows SRO Kyle Rooney forcefully slamming to the floor and restraining 11th-grader Michael Blanchette for a few minutes before removing him from the school in handcuffs.

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Jun 01, 2020
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ACLU Sues Pawtucket School Officials Over Unlawful Arrest of 13-Year-Old Honors Student

As conflict over race-based discriminatory police practices permeates the country, ACLU of RI cooperating attorneys Shannah Kurland and Lynette Labinger today filed suit in federal court over a Pawtucket School Resource Officer’s (SRO) gratuitous and unlawful handcuffing and arrest last year of Tre’sur Johnson, a 13-year-old African-American honors student at Goff Middle School. The suit alleges that the defendants’ treatment of her violated numerous constitutional and statutory rights, including her right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.
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ACLU Takes Legal Action over Unlawful Arrest of 13-Year-Old Honors Student

A legal claim for damages has been sent today to the City of Pawtucket over a School Resource Officer’s (SRO) gratuitous and unlawful handcuffing and arrest of a 13-year-old African-American middle school honors student. The damages claim was submitted by ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorney Shannah Kurland as a required legal prerequisite to the filing of a lawsuit on behalf of the student, Tre’sur Johnson.
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Judge Refuses to Dismiss Lawsuit Over School Arrest of 13-Year-Old Black Honors Student

A federal judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit on behalf of a 13-year-old Black honors student who was handcuffed and arrested by a Pawtucket school resource officer who wanted to "make an example" of her.
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ACLU Sues Narragansett Over Unlawful Assault and Arrest of Special Education Student

ACLU of Rhode Island cooperating attorney Amato DeLuca filed suit in federal court seeking monetary damages on behalf of a former Narragansett High School student with special education needs who was thrown to the ground, choked and falsely arrested by a school resource officer (SRO) over a rude hand gesture the student gave the SRO. A videotaped record of the incident, which occurred two years ago, shows SRO Kyle Rooney forcefully slamming to the floor and restraining 11th-grader Michael Blanchette for a few minutes before removing him from the school in handcuffs.