Don’t Wear a Pink Shirt in Chicago

CHICAGO (CN) - Cook county police and jailers assaulted a man and harassed him as a "faggot" and "queer," apparently because he was wearing a pink shirt, the man claims in court.

Daniel Mulheron sued Cook County, its Sheriff Tom Dart, and Officers Mireles, Rodriguez and Doe, in Federal Court.

Mulheron says he "arrived at the Cook County Jail wearing a pink dress shirt that had been given to him at the Chicago Police Department police station after he was arrested wearing a T-shirt."

"When he arrived in the receiving area, plaintiff was made fun of by a number of jail personnel, who called him a faggot and a queer."

As he passed through a scanner, Mulheron says, Rodriguez "grabbed him by the shirt and tore the front of the shirt. After defendant Rodriguez had done this, defendant Mireles and other officers took him to the, ground where he was further physically abused and handcuffed."

When he got back on his feet, "he was punched in the head by defendant Mireles," Mulheron says.

"Subsequently, as plaintiff was attempting to make a phone call, he was harassed by defendant Mireles, who called him a 'faggot' and told him to get off the phone. Plaintiff took offense and words were exchanged. After Plaintiff then turned away, defendant Mireles came up behind him, grabbed the phone receiver out of his hand and punched him in the face, causing plaintiff to fall backwards and slam his head on the floor."

As he was being taken to see a nurse, Officer John Doe continued the harassment, Mulheron says.

When he complained, "Officer John Doe lifted plaintiff up under his chin so that his feet were off the ground and pushed him up against a chain link fence while holding him by the throat. When he let plaintiff down, plaintiff was short of breath and gasping for air.

"The female sergeant took plaintiff on to medical screening and he was then evaluated and treated at Cermak Health Services for injuries sustained. Those injuries were severe and continuing," according to the complaint.

Mulherson claims Mireles falsely accused him of assault, a charge which was dropped.

He seeks punitive damages for excessive force, failure to intervene, false arrest, battery and emotional distress.

He is represented by Mark Parts with Parts & Spencer.

The complaint does not state why Mulheron was arrested.

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