Black Lives Matter Saratoga is claiming in a federal lawsuit that the city of Saratoga Springs infringed on its rights during social justice protests.

The 98-page lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court comes on the heels of a report from the attorney general slammed the way the city handled the demonstrations, including arresting members of the organization.

The plaintiffs claim in the lawsuit that city leaders “have engaged in a long process of retaliation and attack using the powers of the City and police department to try to silence Saratoga BLM and the individual plaintiffs.”

Among the plaintiffs are Saratoga BLM co-founder Lexis Figuereo. The lawsuit cites the fact that all of these complaints have been dismissed in Saratoga Springs City Court, except for new ones that were filed this year.

The city cited Figuereo for not obtaining a demonstration permit for a protest on the anniversary of George Floyd’s death. Figuereo also was cited for not having a permit for the pro-Palestinian demonstration on May 1.

The defendants named in the lawsuit include current Mayor John Safford, Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll and his two predecessors in the position, Police Chief Tyler McIntosh and former Chief Shane Crooks and Meg Kelly, who was mayor at the time. Former Mayor Ron Kim was not named.

The plaintiffs seek a jury trial. A specific request for damages is not listed in the lawsuit.

NewsChannel 13 has reached out to city officials for a comment. We will let you know if we heard back.