Source: Government to announce civil rights suit against Ferguson

Source: Chicago Tribune

The federal government was expected to file a civil-rights lawsuit against the city of Ferguson on Wednesday, one day after the city council voted to revise an agreement aimed at improving the way police and courts treat poor people and minorities in the St. Louis suburb.

The lawsuit was confirmed by a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement had not yet been made.


Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/midwest/ct-ferguson-justice-department-plan-20160209-story.html

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The federal government sued the city of Ferguson on Wednesday, one day after the city council voted to revise an agreement aimed at improving the way police and courts treat poor people and minorities in the St. Louis suburb.

The civil-rights lawsuit filed by the Justice Department alleged that Ferguson routinely violated residents’ rights and misused law enforcement to generate revenue – a practice the government said was “ongoing and pervasive.”

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Ferguson’s decision to reject the agreement left the department no choice except to sue.

“The residents of Ferguson have waited nearly a year for the city to adopt an agreement that would protect their rights and keep them safe. … They have waited decades for justice. They should not be forced to wait any longer.”

Ferguson spokesman Jeff Small declined to comment. Messages left with Mayor James Knowles III were not returned.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/justice-703607-department-ferguson.html