Occupy S.B. Files Injunction Against City

Eight Occupy Santa Barbara protesters filed a lawsuit on Thursday seeking an injunction against the City of Santa Barbara that would bar police from issuing citations to protesters for sleeping, camping, and remaining in De la Guerra Plaza after 10 p.m. The lawsuit also seeks damages for the private property confiscated by police — including tents, sleeping bags, and first aid kits — as well as damages caused by all prior arrests. According to the suit — written by attorneys Joe Allen, Alan Karow , and Robert Landheer — the city is violating citizens’ rights to freedom of speech, assembly, and petition under both the state and federal Civil Rights acts. It states that De la Guerra Plaza is “a traditional public forum for gathering to exercise free speech and to petition government for redress of grievances.” The city did not respond to requests for comment by press time.