Couple sues for $30M over ejection from Youngstown rally
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YOUNGSTOWN - A Stark County couple filed a $30 million federal lawsuit contending they suffered injuries while being removed from President Donald Trump's Oct. 12 rally in Youngstown after shouting in the direction of U.S. Sen. Jon Husted.
The couple, which isn't identified in the lawsuit except as John and Jane Doe, named Husted, the city of Youngstown, Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene, four unknown sheriff deputies and Ironwood Protection Group as defendants.
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Leah J. Sellers, contends that during Husted's speech at the rally at the Covelli Centre, John Doe yelled, "Pedophile protector," among other things at the senator. The lawsuit states he contended Congress is shut down "to prevent the release of files related to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey E. Epstein."
The lawsuit states: "Jane Doe also vocalized her dissent."
The lawsuit states the couple joined the crowd in shouting "F— Biden" and "vocalized their viewpoints numerous times during the various speeches."
After security asked the couple to leave, the lawsuit claims one of the officers approached the man "and violently grabbed John Doe's head and neck and slammed him on the ground. John Doe's glasses flew off his head and were broken. His smart phone received damage. Without his glasses or smart phone, John Doe was unable to see. The officers then dragged John Doe from the coliseum. Jane Doe attempted to protect her husband from the attack. Soon after, the officers assaulted and violently removed Jane Doe from the coliseum. Nonetheless, the Does persisted in expressing their viewpoints."
The lawsuit said Husted was named as a defendant because while he was standing on stage with a microphone, he "did not ask the officers to stop their violence."
During the scuffle, Husted said: "We won't be intimidated or bullied."
The lawsuit said the couple "are living in poverty," and filed statements on Oct. 26 with the East Canton Police Department about being removed and allegedly assaulted at the Youngstown rally.
The lawsuit said an employee of Ironwood, a private security firm, and law enforcement officers "berated and verbally attacked" the couple as they were being removed from the Covelli Centre.
The lawsuit claims the wife received "bodily bruising" while the husband was diagnosed with "closed head injury, cervical sprain and assault" after seeing a doctor.
Greene said: "I am aware of the lawsuit that's been filed. I'm extremely confident that my deputies followed the law and followed proper procedure. Since this is a civil lawsuit, we are unable to comment on any of the details in this matter."
The six-count lawsuit alleges violations of the couple's constitutional rights to be free from unreasonable seizure - the claims are assault and use of excessive force - as well as deliberate indifference and denial of necessary medical care, Husted's failure to intervene, violations of their freedom of speech, and a state claim against the officers of assault and battery.
This is the second lawsuit filed stemming from the Trump rally at the Covelli Centre this week.
Music legend Neil Young filed a $10 million federal lawsuit against Trump's campaign committee for the unauthorized use of his song "Rockin' in the Free World" during that event as well as "numerous times at other rallies designed to encourage Republican votes in the upcoming midterm elections."
The lawsuit states Trump "is now and at the time of all rallies this year was personally aware that a license would be required to play the song at rallies and that Young has not, and would not, grant the required license. In 2020, Young sued another corporation formed by Trump, Donald J. Trump for President Inc., for copyright infringement of 'Rockin' in the Free World' along with another song written by Young ('Devil's Sidewalk'). Donald J. Trump for President Inc. asserted no defense and immediately settled shortly after it was served, promising that it would never again use 'Rockin' in the Free World' without a license and permission from Young."