Group of teens sues San Francisco over police crackdown on Dolores Hill Bomb that led to anarchy and more than 100 people arrested at annual skateboarding event
Four San Francisco teenagers have sued the city over a crackdown on an annual skateboarding event that saw them and dozens of others arrested.
In July there were more than 100 people, mainly minors, have been arrested during the annual skateboarding event 'Dolores Hill Bomb'.
Officers describe the event as unauthorized, unsanctioned and one that has previously taken over the streets and caused massive property damage. Video showed the event, the anarchy that followed and police trying to regain control.
The lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Jolina Tawasha, 13, Eriberto Jimenez, 17, Lucy Rios, 15, and Carmen Lopez, 15.
Court documents detail how the teens became embroiled in the aftermath of the skateboarding event, despite police not having any probable cause they were doing anything illegal.
San Francisco is being sued by a group of teenagers who were wrongfully arrested and held under brutal conditions during a skateboarding event
In July, more than 100 people, mostly children, were arrested at the annual 'Dolores Hill Bomb' skateboarding rally
The parents of the four main accusers – who are aged between 13 and 17 – claimed the July 8 incident traumatized their children and did not even result in criminal charges. San Francisco standard reported.
Jolina explained how SFPD officers restrained her without giving specific orders or offering any explanation as to why she was targeted.
When the 13-year-old tried to explain that her friend's father was waiting around the corner to pick them up, an officer refused to let her go and replied, “Just listen to what we're going to say; we don't want to hurt you,” the lawsuit alleged.
Eriberto described how he was sitting in the park when officers started barking orders at skaters, telling them to leave Dolores Street and skate somewhere else.
The 17-year-old said he complied with orders, but later that night he was met by a line of officers who pointed their guns at his group of friends to prevent them from leaving the area, according to court documents.
“Despite the teens telling the officers they were only trying to get home, the SFPD officers would not let them leave,” the lawsuit alleges.
Footage from the event shows large crowds cheering as children and adults furiously rolled down the steep descent – some flying off their boards and hitting the pavement only to get back up to do it again
Carmen's mother said she asked officers whether the barricades were supposed to protect or prohibit the event — and officers responded that they didn't even know, the lawsuit said.
The 15-year-old, who was just watching the skaters, had tried to return to her home near Dolores Park after hearing officers telling the crowd to disperse.
“Suddenly the police seemed to be everywhere and the children didn't know which way to go,” the lawsuit states.
“Around 8:15 p.m [to] At 8:30 PM, SFPD officers began walking behind them, making no further announcements or instructions, but moving everyone from 17th and Dolores to 17th and Guerrero. Then, another line of SFPD officers blocked the way forward, trapping and surrounding them. The police didn't let Carmen and her friends leave.'
The San Francisco Standard reported that the children were forced to remain inside barricades for hours — without food or water.
The children were reportedly banned from using the bathroom, causing some of them to wet their pants.
It was also reported that children were dressed for summer but were forced to stay outside in the cold without a coat as night approached.
Parents who tried to bring warm layers for their children were not allowed to give them to the children.
When the group was eventually released to their parents, there was reportedly no verification that they left with legal guardians.
The lawsuit names the police chief, Mission Station Captain Thomas Harvey, and tactical unit commander Lt. Matt Sullivan as defendants.
The city has been given 30 days to respond to the claims.
Jen Kwart, spokesperson for the city attorney's office, said she could not yet discuss the claims. “Once the lawsuit is presented to us, we will review the complaint and respond in court.”
The SFPD allegedly held the group in a “prolonged, inhumane outdoor detention,” which has now led to a lawsuit claiming the mass arrest was unlawful for many reasons
Footage from the July event showed large crowds cheering as children and adults rolled down the steep descent. Some flew off their boards and hit the pavement only to get back up to do it again.
The annual event quickly descended into chaos as reports of vandalism, illegal fireworks, gunfire and violence broke out, prompting riot police to storm the gathering.
The fourth accuser, Lucy, said she and her friends were heading to their other friend's house when they encountered police shouting at them to turn around.
“When they complied, they became trapped between police lines,” the lawsuit said.
'Lucy and her friends realized they were not allowed to leave, despite telling officers their situation.'
Police are said to have announced over a megaphone at one point, “You are all under arrest, sit down!”
Video footage from the day of the event showed large crowds cheering as children and adults raged down the steep descent. Some flew off their boards and hit the pavement only to get back up to do it again.
The annual event quickly descended into chaos as reports of vandalism, illegal fireworks, gunfire and violence broke out, prompting riot police to storm the gathering.
Videos of a significant police presence as officers dressed in full riot gear navigated the street and made arrests emerged from the meeting.
Children vandalizing a light rail vehicle with graffiti and shouting “f*** the police” emerged as footage showed the large crowd quickly dispersing as police closed in.
Three light rail vehicles were destroyed in the incident, which quickly turned violent
A few young adults pretending to use their skateboards as weapons and others jeering and laughing at police were also common themes in the numerous videos and photos that surfaced.
Police arrested 32 adults and 81 minors were cited, while several firearms, unlit fireworks and narcotics were seized from the crowd.
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said “this behavior will not be tolerated” and thanked responding officers.
Around 8 p.m., a group of 200 skaters began removing police barricades at 18th and Dolores streets, and a group of people stopped and vandalized a third MUNI light rail vehicle, police said.
The 'Dolores Hill Bomb' has had a notorious past, with a fatal accident occurring a year earlier.
A stabbing took place last year and in 2019, well-known local skater Tomoko Oikawa fell and suffered serious brain injuries that required surgery.