Several participants in anti-racism protests earlier this month have sued Pittsburgh and numerous city officials over excessive police tactics, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets, to break up the otherwise peaceful demonstrations.

The lawsuit is likely the first case to be filed in Pennsylvania over the widespread protests, which often led to high-profile police crackdowns, including in Philadelphia where the mayor and police commissioner recently apologized for using tear gas on protesters who were marching on a restricted-access highway.