A federal judge has issued a limited preliminary injunction that bars the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) from firing pepperballs at protester Kathleen Cavalaro unless she engages in assaultive conduct or poses an immediate threat. The order follows video evidence from the June 2025 anti‑ICE protest that showed officers firing dozens of pepperballs at Cavalaro as she walked away, striking her in the back, pursuing her, and ultimately arresting her without filing any charges.
According to KTNV, the incident occurred during a night of protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Body‑camera footage captured the officers’ actions, including a shot fired by then‑Deputy Chief, now Assistant Sheriff Bryan Peterson, which the judge described as “intentional, retaliatory and excessive.” The judge also noted that officers fired pepperballs at the feet of a non‑threatening photographer kneeling nearby and at retreating protesters across an intersection.
Chief U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon found that the police conduct violated Cavalaro’s First Amendment rights and could have a chilling effect on future demonstrations. He highlighted that LVMPD had already paid nearly half a million dollars to settle lawsuits from other protesters who alleged mistreatment during the same June protest.
“It’s quite intimidating to be put in jail for 24 hours for exercising your rights,” Cavalaro said after the incident. She added that she remains “full of anxiety and fear of being falsely arrested again, being shot with pepperballs or worse.” The judge’s order requires LVMPD to comply with its own revised protest policies, which the court said were still insufficient to prevent further violations.
While the injunction applies only to Cavalaro, her attorneys hope it will set a broader precedent for protecting protesters’ constitutional rights. The ruling does not resolve Cavalaro’s pending lawsuit against LVMPD; the case will continue as the injunction remains in effect.
For Henderson residents, the decision is significant because LVMPD provides law‑enforcement services to the city. The court’s directive may influence how officers respond to future protests and public gatherings in Henderson, potentially reducing the use of force that community members have previously reported.
What’s next: Cavalaro’s lawsuit proceeds while the injunction stays in place. LVMPD must adhere to its own policies regarding pepperball deployment, and any further violations could result in additional court action. Residents are encouraged to monitor upcoming court filings and LVMPD policy updates for changes that may affect public safety and First Amendment activities in Henderson.
Sources: ktnv.com
