A lawsuit filed Feb. 12, 2025, in the Southern District of New York accuses the City of New York and several high-ranking officials, including Mayor Eric Adams, of civil rights violations during a peaceful march in Bay Ridge on Oct. 21, 2023.
The plaintiffs, including Ahmad Moussa, allege that during a legally permitted march organized by Within Our Lifetime to protest killings of civilians in Gaza, NYPD officers used excessive force against participants.
The complaint says police employed a tactic known as “kettling” to trap demonstrators before arresting them for failing to disperse. It claims these actions reflect a broader pattern of discrimination against Arab and Muslim communities in New York City.
According to the plaintiffs, Mayor Adams directed the NYPD to target pro-Palestinian voices while fostering pro-Israeli demonstrations.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for what it describes as racially and religiously motivated actions that violated the marchers’ First Amendment rights. It also demands a judgment declaring the NYPD’s conduct unlawful.
The plaintiffs contend their arrests were unjustified and that they suffered physical injuries and emotional distress due to police misconduct.
The plaintiffs are calling for accountability from city officials and have cited past incidents where similar tactics were used against peaceful protesters and say such practices are part of an ongoing pattern within the NYPD.
The suit is being heard under Case ID 1:25-cv-04732-FB-PK.
Source: 125cv04732_Moussa_v_City_of_New_York_Complaint_Eastern_District_New_York.pdf