Fla. city agrees to stop targeting homeless

City of Sarasota agrees to stop targeting homeless after challenge by ACLU

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Published On: Feb 13 2013 12:28:53 PM EST

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — The city of Sarasota has agreed to abide by an updated 60-day injunction stopping officials and police from targeting the city's homeless population.

In a consent decree issued Wednesday, officials agreed that police would not "interfere with the exercise of First Amendment Rights."

The American Civil Liberties Union recently brought a legal challenge on behalf of two homeless men, saying authorities — including police — are trying to harass the homeless into leaving the city. ACLU uncovered a recent surveillance video showing an officer throwing a homeless man against a metal grate. They also allege that officers sent messages referring to "bum hunting."

The ACLU said Wednesday it will continue to monitor treatment of homeless people in Sarasota.