The trial of a lawsuit brought by Black Lives Matter L.A. co-founder Melina Abdullah against the city of Los Angeles began with testimony from a police sergeant, James Mankey, who ordered officers to approach Abdullah’s home in tactical gear despite having doubts about the validity of the 911 report. The incident was later determined to be a “swatting” prank, leading Abdullah to sue the city over the LAPD’s response, which left her and her children fearing for their lives. Abdullah’s attorneys claim that police targeted her due to her activism, while the city attorney affirmed that officers responded appropriately to what they believed was a genuine threat.
In August 2020, the LAPD received an emergency call threatening to shoot three hostages unless $1 million was paid, using Abdullah’s address as the location. Despite evidence suggesting the call was a prank, more than a dozen officers and a helicopter were dispatched to Abdullah’s home. Mankey, according to Abdullah’s attorney, had made comments about similar incidents targeting wealthy individuals but did not stand down his officers. Instead, they approached Abdullah with firearms raised, causing fear and distress.
Mankey testified that he did not recognize Abdullah before the incident and defended his decision to respond as he did based on the perceived threat. Darling questioned several aspects of Mankey’s handling of the situation, including his failure to contact Abdullah directly to verify the situation. Mankey defended his actions, saying that the criteria for calling the SWAT team is high and that he made efforts to gather information before escalating the response.
During the incident, Abdullah’s children were inside the house, prompting her to livestream the encounter on social media while ensuring their safety. The lawsuit alleges violations of several rights including unlawful seizure, false imprisonment, and excessive force. The trial has drawn attention to Abdullah’s role in Black Lives Matter, but the judge instructed lawyers to focus on the actions of the police rather than broader political issues. The case has also raised concerns about police intimidation and tactics used in responding to such incidents.
Abdullah has been the target of multiple swatting calls, some of which were motivated by racial hatred. Her lawsuit claims that the actions of the LAPD have left her living in fear of similar incidents. The presence of a police helicopter and numerous armed officers outside her home was seen as intimidation rather than rescue. Earlier this year, another of Abdullah’s attorneys had his home searched by police under a search warrant, leading to accusations of unjustified actions. The incident is under investigation by internal affairs. The trial continues with Mankey’s testimony and questions from jurors, as Abdullah seeks justice for the traumatic experience she and her family endured.
