Two former Atlanta police officers who were terminated for tasing a couple of college students have filed lawsuits against Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields.
Mark Gardner and Ivory Streeter filed lawsuits through their attorney on Monday, alleging their rights were violated and they were fired in violation of the city’s code; without investigation, proper notice or a pre-disciplinary hearing, according to ABC News.
Gardner and Streeter were caught on viral video dragging 20-year-old Taniyah Pilgrim and 22-year-old Messiah Young out of their car and tasing them during the Atlanta riots.
The police pursued the students as they were driving home from the George Floyd protests after a citywide curfew – but the students said they had no idea that a 9 p.m. curfew was in effect.
Gardner and Streeter were charged with aggravated assault for tasing the students when they committed no crimes.
The fired officers want their jobs reinstated, as well as back pay and benefits and an apology from the mayor.