California IN BRIEF : SAN FRANCISCO : 3 War Protesters File Brutality Suit

Three anti-war protesters filed a suit alleging that they were beaten by California Highway Patrol officers during demonstrations against the Gulf War on Jan. 16-17. The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, representing the three, said Aaron Lamperti and Eli Rosenblatt were recorded on videotape as they were allegedly beaten by officers during a demonstration on U.S. 101 on Jan. 17. The Superior Court suit says the tape shows two officers swinging side-handle batons at the men while they were seated, fracturing the Lamperti’s leg and causing severe lacerations and bruises to Rosenblatt. The third plaintiff, Moira McFadden, allegedly was knocked breathless by a baton-swinging officer on the lower deck of the Bay Bridge during a large demonstration that shut down traffic for hours on Jan. 16.