On March 10, Attorneys Fernando F. Chavez and Blanca E. Zarazúa filed a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court on behalf of Hispanic residents living in the King City area. On February 25, six King City police officers and one civilian were arrested for allegedly targeting low income Hispanic people by ordering their vehicles towed and then keeping the cars when the owners could not pay the impound fees. The police officers allegedly kept the cars for themselves or sold them for money.

“It is an outrage that law enforcement officials who are supposed to protect people would plan to take advantage of these innocent Latino residents, knowing it would be difficult or impossible to pay the fees to retrieve their car,” said Fernando Chavez, attorney with The Chavez Law Firm and son of the late Cesar E. Chavez.

The class action was filed after several community members were interviewed and troubling facts were disclosed. “This lawsuit provides at least some relief for the many residents of King City who were subject to serious civil rights violations” said Attorney Blanca E. Zarazúa, Honorary Consul for Mexico in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.

Read More | See Also: Assembly Member Alejo Statement on Allegations Against King City Police Officers | Senator Monning Statement on King City Police Department Corruption Scandal