Four sue after water balloon arrests

UPI
Jun. 23, 2010

NEW YORK, June 22 (UPI) -- Four young men arrested during a New York water balloon fight are suing the city for $1 million each on claims of unlawful arrest.

Maurice Manners, 21, Erick Martinez, 16, Ryan Ginyard, 18, and Jayvon McKinney, 12, said they were part of the group of about 25 people having a water balloon fight on Walton Ave. in the Bronx during 90 degree weather May 26 when the police showed up, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.

The four were arrested along with seven others not involved in the lawsuit.

Neil Wollerstein, a lawyer for the families, said disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly charges were dropped against the three older boys the day after their arrested and the 12-year-old has a date in family court next week.

"It was a really hot day and everyone had clothes on like basketball shorts to get wet in," Martinez said. "Nobody went out to get arrested."

Police stood by the arrests, saying the boys were throwing water balloons at passing cars.