A federal judge issued a limited injunction prohibiting Las Vegas police from using pepperballs against an individual protester unless she is being assaultive or poses an immediate public safety threat.
Chief U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon ordered the injunction Saturday for Kathleen Cavalaro in a ruling that criticized the Metropolitan Police Department’s protest tactics.
“Officers shot Cavalaro in the back with a pepperball (and dozens of them at her feet) as she was following their command to leave, pursued her down on the sidewalk as she continued to walk away as ordered, zip-tied her hands behind her back, and arrested her pursuant to Metro’s policy of ending the protest after a dispersal order, regardless of location,” Gordon wrote.
The judge added: “Metro does not appear to adequately recognize the wrongfulness of the officers’ conduct.”
Cavalaro was one of thousands who gathered in downtown Las Vegas in June 2025 to oppose the immigration enforcement tactics of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Over 100 protesters were arrested, but the Las Vegas city attorney’s office decided not to prosecute 90 of them. Cavalaro’s case was among those dropped.
Since then, some of those arrested have sued. One woman, Karlin Martinez, reached a $325,000 settlement with the department.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com.
