Suit: Officers beat NATO protester, used excessive force during arrest

A Northwest Side man arrested while protesting the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago is suing the city, alleging officers used excessive force when the peaceful demonstration escalated into a scuffle with police downtown.

Kieran Aarons, 30, of the 2100 block of North Kimball Avenue, was one of 12 individuals arrested June 6, 2012, in the 600 block of North Michigan Avenue, during the Occupy Chicago protest against the 2012 NATO Summit, according to previous Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He was initially charged with misdemeanors battery, reckless conduct, and resisting arrest.

According to Aaron’s lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court, he was involved in a “constitutionally-protected act of free expression and assembly” when Chicago Police officers began making arrests.

As officers attempted to arrest Aarons, another officer began beating him with a baton, the suit alleges.

Another officer stood by and watched the use of excessive and unreasonable force, according to the suit. Both officers are listed as defendants in the lawsuit.

The three-count suit claims excessive force, failure to intervene and seeks to hold the city responsible.

Aarons is seeking an unspecified amount in damages and legal fees.

The city has not yet been served with the suit, said city spokesman Bill McCaffrey, who declined to comment on it Friday evening.