Capital riot insurrectionists sue police for 'physical and emotional injuries'

A group of individuals who were present at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 insurrection have filed a class action lawsuit against the law enforcement agencies that defended the building that day. The plaintiffs seek millions of dollars in damages, claiming they suffered physical and emotional harm at the hands of the authorities.

Lead plaintiffs with troubled past

Among the key plaintiffs are A.J. Fischer, a former Proud Boy member who was pardoned by former President Donald Trump for assault charges, and Patrick and Marie Sullivan, who were pepper-balled and chemically sprayed by police during the riot. None of the Sullivans faced criminal prosecution for their involvement.

The lawsuit aims to represent a class of around 30 others who were on the Capitol's West Front that day, the site of the most intense clashes between rioters and police. This includes several individuals convicted of felony assaults, such as Dominic Pezzola, who smashed a window with a stolen riot shield, and Christopher Worell, who used pepper spray on police officers. Pro-Trump livestreamer Anthime Gionet, also known as