/

Woman accuses SF Fire of injecting her during abortion rights protest

3 mins read

A woman is suing the City and County of San Francisco, the San Francisco Police Department, and the San Francisco Fire Department. She accused someone injected her with a sedative as she protested for abortion rights. 

Kareim McKnight is being represented by longtime civil rights attorney John Burris.

“Giving an injection to a protester against her will is shocking and illegal,” Burris stated. “In my entire career, I have never heard of a sedative being given to anyone, especially a fully restrained protester who was not a danger to themselves or others. What are the SFPD and SFFD criteria for injecting anyone with a sedative against their will absent a profound showing of an impending medical condition or preventing harm to others.”

A press release states that McKnight and her friend, Amanda Piasecki, were at a Golden State Warriors playoff game at San Francisco’s Chase Center on June 13 when they revealed a banner that said, “Overturn Roe? Hell No!” and began chanting “Abortion on Demand and without apology. Without this basic right, women cannot be free. Rise up for abortion rights.”

The two headed to the main floor and were surrounded by security guards, who removed them from the arena. 

“Once outside the area, Ms. Piasecki was immediately released, but not so for Ms. McKnight,” the press release states. She was held down with a knee in her back and an officer’s forearm across her neck, choking her, and she was handcuffed. She was threatened with being injected with a sedative by a San Francisco police officer, for which she protested. She firmly refused any injections. She was placed on a gurney and strapped down. Notwithstanding her protest and without her consent, she was injected with a sedative by a San Francisco fire department personnel. She was transported to Kaiser Hospital and, shortly after that, was released.”

According to the press release, McKnight claims that the sedative “made her sluggish and caused the slurring of her words. Mrs. McKnight believes that the police officers’ and para-medics treatment of her was arbitrary. She questioned the officers/personnel as to whether they were only giving sedatives to Black people.”

Delivered weekly to your inbox📰

Stay connected with the heart of the Bay Area! Subscribe to the SF Times Friday Paper for your weekly dose of local news, events, business updates, and more from San Francisco and surrounding areas. Don't miss out on what's happening in your city.

 

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!