Federal judge dismisses most claims in lawsuits pertaining to the clearing of Lafayette Square

U.S. District Court Judge Dabney Friedrich has dismissed most claims related to a series of lawsuits connected with the clearing of Black Lives Matter protesters from Lafayette Park in 2020, but the judge will permit litigation targeting Washington D.C. and Arlington police to continue.

Judge Friedrich denied claims for damages against former President Donald Trump and others, according to Politico. 

The Washington Post reported that the suits named various federal individual and agency defendants, plus D.C. and Arlington law enforcement.

The outlet said that the judge determined that defendants such as then-attorney general William Barr and then-acting Park Police chief Gregory Monahan are immune regarding civil suits and cannot be targeted for damages.

The judge will permit litigation to move forward that targets federal constraints on protests and other First Amendment activity at Lafayette Square, according to the Post.