A University of Southern California student who was involved in protests regarding the Israel-Hamas war is suing the city of Los Angeles after he was hit by a “less-lethal” rubber bullet.
Boston Moreland, an undergraduate at USC, was hit the night of April 24, a moment that was captured in a viral video released by the student-run Annenberg Media. (Editor’s note: The video linked here contains strong language.)
On Wednesday, Moreland’s attorney, Thomas Seabaugh, announced a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles alleging that Moreland’s rights were violated and that he did nothing to warrant the use of a 40 mm “less-lethal” projectile by the Los Angeles Police Department.
“Boston was merely filming the police with his phone when he was shot without any warning. He was not doing anything violent or disruptive. The projectile struck him in the stomach, leaving a large, lasting bruise,” Seabaugh said in a news release.
“I was lucky it didn’t hit me in the hand or the eye, or my visit to the ER could’ve been far worse,” Moreland said.
By shooting the projectile, police used excessive force and violated Boston’s rights to free speech and assembly, the suit claims.
“These so-called less-lethal projectiles are not toys, they can cause very serious injuries,” said Seabaugh. “If you are struck in the mouth, it can knock out your teeth. If you are hit in the eye, it can blind or kill you. Students have a right to exercise their right to free speech and assembly on a public walkway without fear of being hit with one of these things for no reason.”
The LAPD did not immediately return a request for comment.