In a recent turn of events, a federal judge has ruled that while Fort Lauderdale Police officers are shielded from individual liability for injuries sustained by LaToya Ratlieff during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, the City of Fort Lauderdale is not exempt from the possibility of a trial. As reported by NBC Miami, Ratlieff, who was struck in the face by a rubber bullet that left her with a broken eye socket and nerve damage, has led a federal class-action lawsuit alleging violations of civil rights by the city's law enforcement during the demonstrations sparked by George Floyd’s murder.
While the individual officers involved in dispersing tear gas and firing rubber bullets without warning are protected by qualified and statutory immunity, the city itself may now have to answer in court to the policies and actions of its officers; Ratlieff's legal team hailed this as a significant victory in the midst of systemic barriers erected by the specter of qualified immunity, this according to a statement obtained by NBC Miami.
As noted by 7News, Ratlieff shared in June that she believes the rights of those who were forced to leave the protest were violated; "If you suffered abuses from the Fort Lauderdale Police Department that day. Your rights were violated," Ratlieff told the press. This statement comes in anticipation of a potential trial that could put the city's practices under scrutiny.
After the 2021 investigation exonerated the detective who fired the shot that injured Ratlieff, ruling he was aiming at another target, unrest amongst citizens swelled, for they sought accountability for actions leading to what Ratlieff and her supporters dub indiscriminate police brutality. "This is not just a victory for me, but a step forward in the broader struggle for accountability and justice in our community," Ratlieff said in a statement which underscores the broader implications of her legal battle for systemic reforms in police conduct, as detailed by 7News. As of now, the City of Fort Lauderdale has not publicly responded to inquiries regarding the judge's recent ruling.
