MANHATTAN — Occupy Wall Street protesters who scuffle with the NYPD might get hit back — with a lawsuit.
The president of the police sergeants' union threatened Thursday to sue Occupy Wall Street protesters who hurt any of the union's 5,000 members.
"In light of the growing violence attendant to the 'Occupy' movements across the country, particularly as evidenced by the recent events in Oakland, I am compelled to place these so-called 'occupiers' on notice that physical assaults on police officers will not be tolerated," Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeant's Benevolent Association, said in a statement.
"Any assault on a police officer is not only punishable as a felony in the State of New York, but will also be met with swift and certain legal action by the SBA, which will seek monetary damages against any individual who causes injury to a New York City sergeant."
Mullins said more than 20 police officers have been injured since Occupy Wall Street protesters arrived in Downtown's Zuccotti Park on Sept. 17.
Mullins accused the protesters of "intentionally and maliciously instigat[ing] needless and violent confrontations with the police," adding he worried the clashes would escalate as the protests continue to spread around the country.
"I have instructed the SBA’s attorneys to pursue the harshest possible civil sanctions — including monetary damages — against any individual protestor who causes injury to my members," Mullins said in the statement.
"Protestors are not immunized from civil liability merely because their victims are wearing the uniform of the New York City Police Department."
Occupy Wall Street has accused the police of using unnecessary force against protesters. Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna was disciplined for pepper-spraying a group of young women at a march last month.
Occupy Wall Street's press representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
