Story highlights
Five men who describe themselves in a complaint as "human rights activists of Mexican origin" filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Trump
The lawsuit stems from a physical confrontation between protesters outside a Trump event and a member of Trump's security team
After filing a flurry of lawsuits during since the launch of his presidential campaign, Donald Trump is on the receiving end of one after a confrontation in New York last week between a protester and a member of his security detail turned violent.
Five men who describe themselves in a complaint as “human rights activists of Mexican origin” filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the Republican presidential candidate, his campaign, his company and Keith Schiller, Trump’s chief of security. The plaintiffs allege that Trump security officials, namely Schiller, assaulted them as they protested outside of a campaign event.
Last Thursday, the five plaintiffs stood outside of Trump Tower where a campaign event was taking place with a sign saying “TRUMP: Make America Racist Again” - a play on the Republican candidate’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
Related: Protesters scuffle outside Trump event
Schiller forcefully removed the banner from the protesters and when one of them, Efrain Galicia, tried to wrestle it back, Schiller allegedly struck Efrain in the head with his hand. CNN and other reporters on the scene witnessed the incident, which was videotaped by several people.
The plaintiffs allege Schiller struck Efrain “with a closed fist on the head with such force that it caused Galicia to stumble backwards,” according to the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs had previously held protests outside of Trump Tower to protest Trump’s rhetoric on illegal immigration, “what they deem to be Trump’s racism and xenophobia,” according to the complaint.
They said that in previous confrontations with Trump security guards, New York City police officers advised the security detail that the protesters were permitted to protest on the public sidewalk in front of Trump Tower.
The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to forbid the Trump security officials from interfering with their public protests and are seeking damages for pain and suffering, medical and legal expenses and punitive damages.
The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.