New York AG sues NYC police for excessive force against protesters

© Reuters/BRENDAN MCDERMIDFILE PHOTO: New York State Attorney General Letitia James speaks speaks at a news conference

(Reuters) - New York state Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday sued New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio and the city's police commissioner on Thursday over allegations the police used excessive force against racial justice protesters in the wake of the killing of George Floyd last year.

The federal lawsuit alleges New York City police repeatedly and without justification used batons and other physical force against protesters, many of whom were never charged with a crime, causing broken bones and concussions among other injuries.

The lawsuit said the police violated protesters' rights and is seeking a court order to mandating policies, training and monitoring to assure and end to the unlawful practices.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Chizu Nomiyama)