Fight For $15's Mid-South Organizing Committee is suing the Memphis Police Department in federal court for allegedly harassing and trying to intimidate labor protesters and Fight For $15 organizers.

The suit also says the MPD is conducting illegal political surveillance on protesters.

The Mid-South Organizing Committee and its lead organizer Antonio Cathey say in their lawsuit that Memphis Police “engaged in a pattern and practice of various intimidation tactics aimed at discouraging [workers] from engaging in protected free speech activities."

Cathey says Memphis cops told him they had authorization from the president of McDonald's to make arrests at Fight For $15 protests.

Police also followed organizers engaged in constitutionally protected protests.