Katie's Story

Katalina (“Katie”) Durden is legally blind. She initially monitored the protests online out of fear of harm stemming from Defendants’ failure to accommodate people with disabilities and general use of excessive force; however, she has attended protests regularly since late July as an independent member of the press who records the protests in 360° sound for people with low vision and others. She generally uses a guide dog, but has only used a reflective, red and white cane at protests for fear of harm to her service dog.

Katie has been shot with pepper balls, shoved to the ground by law enforcement, and been exposed to tear gas on multiple occasions despite informing Defendants that she is a blind member of the press. Katie has suffered numerous physical injuries from her experiences, including heavy bruising and pain across her body, and related mental health symptoms of active trauma and PTSD.