‘It’s very important to stand up’

In remarks to be delivered during announcement of her suit, former council member Ruth Herbel explains why she is pursuing legal action.

“The day of the raid was very traumatic for my husband, who has dementia, and me,” she wrote. “The raid put my husband in a state of shock, which would continue over a period of four months and still has lasting effects.

“I really didn’t know if he would live or die. We had lost a prominent member of our community because of the raids, and it could have been two.

“This is why I think it is very important to stand up for our rights and protect the 1st and 4th Amendment of the Constitution, which was violated in the raid that happened to me.

“I feel honored that Institute for Justice will be representing me in this lawsuit. I hope this prevents the law enforcement community from violating these rights in the future, and if they do violate these rights that they are held accountable for doing so.”