Protestor's lawsuit against MCSO dismissed

PHOENIX - A lawsuit filed against the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in relation to a large 2010 SB1070 protest at 4th Avenue Jail was dismissed on Friday by a federal court judge.

Sunita Patel, who participated in the protest on July 29, 2010, filed the wrongful arrest suit after she was detained following orders by deputies to disperse.

MCSO said the protesters had locked arms and were blocking the jail's main gate at the time, and refused to move.

The judge ruled the MCSO deputies had probably cause to arrest Patel along with others.

"It's ironic that this lawsuit is dismissed the day before tomorrow's huge protest against Tent City," said Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "Protestors must understand that while they have a right to assemble, when an order is given by law enforcement, it must be obeyed."

Patel is an attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights and was serving as a legal observer during the protest.