Campbell v. Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Shannon CAMPBELL v. FELD ENTERTAINMENT, INC., Defendants Mark Ennis v. Feld Entertainment, Inc.
Attorneys
G. Whitney Leigh, Gonzalez & Leigh, LLP, San Francisco, CA, Matthew A. Siro-ka, Law Office of Matthew A. Siroka, San Francisco, CA, for Plaintiff., Rubina Kazi, McManis Faulkner, McManis Faulkner A. Professional Corporation, San Jose, CA, John Morgan Simpson, Michelle C. Pardo, Fulbright and Jaworski, LLP, Washington, DC, Peter Harold Mason, Tambry Lynette Bradford, Tarifa B. Laddon, Todd Matthew
Full Opinion (html_with_citations)
ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFFSâ MOTION FOR PARTIAL. SUMMARY JUDGMENT, AND GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART DEFENDANTSâ MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT
Plaintiffs Shannon Campbell (âCampbellâ) and Mark Ennis (âEnnisâ) (collectively, âPlaintiffsâ) have brought a diversity action against defendants Feld Entertainment, Inc. (âFEIâ), operator of the Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus (âCircusâ); Michael Stuart (âStuartâ); and David Bailey (âBaileyâ) (collectively, âDefendantsâ) for alleged violations of state law and common law torts.
Before the Court are the partiesâ cross-motions for summary judgment. Specifically, the Court addresses Defendantsâ Motion for Summary Judgment or, Alternatively, Partial Summary Judgment, ECF No. 187
Having considered the submissions of the parties, the relevant law, and the record in this case, the Court DENIES Plaintiffsâ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, and GRANTS in part and DENIES in part Defendantsâ Motion for Summary Judgment or, Alternatively, Partial Summary Judgment.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Factual Background
This lawsuit is but the latest in a decade-long series of legal disputes involving the Circus and Humanity Through Education (âHTEâ), a San Francisco Bay Area animal rights organization that protests the treatment of Circus animals.
The Circus generally comes to the San Francisco Bay Area every August and September. ECF No. 84-1, Declaration of David Bailey (âBailey Decl.â) ¶ 2; ECF No. 84-3, Declaration of Michael Stuart (âStuart Decl.â) ¶¶ 2, 7. A few days before the first performance, FEI brings the animals via railroad to the city in which they are performing and then walks them, accompanied by a police escort, from the railroad to the Circus venue (the âanimal walkâ). ECF No. 205-1, Deposition of Michael Stuart (âStuart Dep.â) at 16, 202-OS. FEI reverses the process following the last performance. Id. at 16. In the interim, the animals are kept in a compound, typically in the parking lot adjacent to the arena where the Circus is performing. ECF No. -205-2, Deposition of David Bailey (âBailey Dep.â) at 31-33. Plaintiffs and other members of HTE videotape the animals during the walks and while the animals remain in the compound. Ennis Decl. ¶ 12; Campbell Decl. ¶ 8. In 2007, FEI employees began using long ropes to form a moving barrier separating the general public from the animals and their handlers as they walk to and from the Circus venue. Stuart Dep. at 49, 114-15; Stuart Decl.' ¶¶ 9-12. Since August 2012, however, FEI has not performed animal walks in northern California: Stuart Dep. at 180, 207.
Plaintiffs allege that Defendants have a âpolicy and practice ... to intentionally interfere with Plaintiffsâ free speech rightsâ at the animal walks. ECF No. 158, Fourth Amended Consolidated Complaint (âFACCâ) ¶ 29 (internal quotation marks omitted). In particular, Plaintiffs assert that over the past several years Defendants have harassed them and interfered with their ability to videotape the animals. Id. ¶¶ 30-32. Defendantsâ alleged misconduct takes three general forms: (1) using ropes during the animal walks to harass Plaintiffs and interfere with their videotaping; (2) shining lights into Plaintiffsâ cameras; and (3) physical and verbal assaults on Plaintiffs while they are videotaping. Id. Defendantsâ misconduct, Plaintiffs allege, spans five incidents over the past several years.
On August 12, 2010, Campbell alleges that FEI employees âshined a laser pointerâ into her camera and eyes while she was attempting to videotape the treatment of Circus animals. Campbell Decl. ¶¶ 19-20; see Ex. C to Campbell Decl. (video clip showing the incident). Campbell claims that her vision was affected for a âshort period,â perhaps âfive to ten minutes,â after the light was flashed in her eyes. Campbell Dep. at 196-97; ef. Campbell Decl. ¶ 19 (stating that her vision was impaired for â10-15 minutes afterwardâ). She did not suffer physical injury or seek medical attention as a result. Campbell Dep. at 197, 216. Throughout the incident, Campbell says she was standing at the entrance to the Oakland arenaâs north tunnel, an area from which she was permitted to videotape.
2. San Jose 2011
On August 16, 2011, Ennis states that he was filming an animal walk in San Jose. Ennis Decl. ¶ 16. As the procession passed through the arenaâs parking lot, Ennis walked ahead to get a better view of the elephants entering the fenced area where they would be kept. Id. At that point, Ennis alleges that an FEI employee directed the rope holders to wrap the rope around a lamppost where Ennis was standing, thereby blocking his path. Id. ¶ 17; see Ex. A to Ennis Decl., Clip 6 (video clip showing the incident). Without prior notice or his consent, Ennis claims, the rope was wrapped around him and pulled tight for about a minute as he filmed. Ennis Decl. ¶ 17; Ennis Dep. at 83. However, according to Stuart, then director of circus operations, Ennis simply âwalked intoâ the rope on his own. Stuart Dep. at 10, 74-75. Ennis claims that the incident was âuncomfortable and embarrassing.â Ennis Decl. ¶ 17.
3.Fresno 2012
On July 8, 2012, Ennis says he was attempting to film Circus animals as they entered the Fresno arena. Ennis Decl. ¶ 18; Ennis Dep. at 228-29. Standing behind a wall on a public sidewalk, Ennis mounted his camera atop a monopod so that he could film down into the area where he anticipated the animals would be brought. Ennis Dep. at 227, 234-35. According to Ennis, several uniformed Circus performers threw sticks and ice at his camera. Ennis Decl. ¶ 18; see Ex. A to Ennis Decl., Clips 11-13 (video clips showing the incident). One of the sticks hit Ennisâs camera, while another caromed off a nearby pillar and struck him in the shoulder. Ennis Dep. at 228, 235. Ennis, however, suffered no physical injury as a result. Id. at 235.
On August 7, 2012, Plaintiffs traveled to Oakland to videotape a nighttime animal walk from the Circus train to the arena. Ennis Decl. ¶ 19; Campbell Decl. ¶ 11. Campbell claims that âDefendants persistently interfered with [her] ability to walk along Baldwin Street as [she] videotapedâ the animal walk, and that âDefendants forcibly blocked the natural flow of pedestrian traffic on the public street using their bodies and ropes.â Campbell Deck ¶ 14. Campbell alleges that FEI employees âyell[ed]â at her several times to âget up on the sidewalk,â even though no sidewalk existed. Id.; see Ex. A to Campbell Deck (video clip showing the incident). After being forced onto a ârocky uneven surface,â Campbell says that Stuart approached her at close range, contacted her with his body, and told her that she was âinto the ropeâ and to get on the sidewalk. Campbell Deck ¶ 14; Campbell Dep. at 113. In response, Campbell told Stuart he did not have âany fucking rightâ to touch her with his body. Campbell Dep. at 110. Campbell then complained that Stuart had no right to put his hands on her; but when Stuart asked her whether he had done so, Campbell responded âmore accuratelyâ that Stuart had âpushed his body against [hers].â Campbell Deck ¶ 14; see also Campbell Dep. at 113 (testifying that Stuartâs âstomach [was] protruding, and thatâs what he was pushing against meâ). Stuart denies ever making contact with Campbell. Stuart Dep. at 55.
After another minute had passed, Campbell told a different FEI employee, âGet your hands off me!â to which the employee replied, âMy hands are not on you.â Campbell Deck ¶ 14. Campbell then responded, âYour body is pushing against me; youâre not allowed to do that.â Id. Another minute or so later, Stuart told members of the crowd that the area behind the Oakland arenaâs Baldwin Street entrance was private property and, according to Campbell, he then âuse[d] his body to physically blockâ some of the spectators from proceeding. Id. As the crowd approached the narrowing entrance, Campbell alleges that she was sandwiched between metal barricades. Id. ¶ 15. Forced to jump over one of them, Campbell claims that she sustained a bruise on her leg that lasted approximately one month. Id. She did not seek any medical care for the bruise. Campbell Dep. at 135.
Ennis, on the other hand, claims that as the procession approached the Baldwin Street entrance, which Plaintiffs claim was open to the public, Ennis was told by Stuart and a security guard that the area was private property and that he could not go any further. Ennis Deck ¶ 20; see Ex. A to Ennis Deck, Clips 8-10 (video clips showing the incident). After protesting that the entrance was open to the public and attempting to proceed, Ennis alleges that Stuart âblocked [Ennis] with his body,â âpush[ed] his stomach against [En-nisâs],â and âreached over and hit [Ennis] in the back.â Ennis Deck ¶20. Ennis later testified, however, that rather than grabbing him, â[Stuart] just like put his hand on [him].â Ennis Dep. at 265. In any event, Ennis claims that he did not consent to being touched, and that he found Stuartâs actions offensive. Id. Stuart, for his part, testified that a police officer had told him the area behind the Baldwin Street entrance was not open to the public and that no part of his body ever touched Ennisâs. Stuart Dep. at 55, 78,147-48.
5. San Jose 2012
On August 18, 2012, Ennis alleges that an unknown FEI employee âpurposely walked into [him]â while Ennis was using a monopod to videotape animals over the back gate at the San Jose arena. Ennis Deck ¶ 21; Ennis Dep. at 307-08; see Ex.
B. Procedural History
On August 10, 2012, Campbell filed her initial Complaint, ECF No. 1, and on January 17, 2013, Ennis filed his, No. 13-00233, ECF No. 1. After a round of amended complaints, the Court ordered the two cases consolidated on June 18, 2013. ECF No. 70.
On July 9, 2013, Plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Consolidated Complaint (âSACCâ), ECF No. 73, which Defendants moved to dismiss and/or strike on August 12, 2013, ECF No. 94. On October 4, 2013, the Court granted the motion in part and denied it in part. ECF No. 120. On October 21, 2013, Plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Consolidated Complaint (âTACCâ), ECF No. 124, which Defendants again moved to dismiss and/or strike on November 4, 2013, ECF No. 126. Defendants argued in their motion that the Court should dismiss Plaintiffsâ free speech claims based on Article I, Section 2 of the California Constitution. ECF No. 126 at 5-12.
On April 7, 2014, the Court amended its order from October 4, 2013, clarifying that âcontrol of propertyâ is insufficient to transform a private partyâs conduct into state action for purposes of the California Constitution. ECF No. 154; see ECF No. 155 at 11 n.4 (explaining the reason for amending the Courtâs prior order). That same day, the Court granted with prejudice Defendantsâ Motion to Dismiss Plaintiffsâ claims based on Article I, Section 2 of the California Constitution. ECF No. 155 at 15. The Court did so because âArticle I, Section 2 includes a state actor limitationâ and âDefendants are not state actorsâ under the meaning of that provision. Id. at 9, 13 (internal quotation marks omitted).
On April 16, 2014, Plaintiffs filed their FACC, naming FEI, Stuart, and Bailey as defendants.
On September 25, 2014, Defendants filed their Motion for Summary Judgment or, Alternatively, Partial Summary Judgment. Defs.â Mot. at 24. The following day, Plaintiffs filed their Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. Pis.â Mot. at 26. Although Plaintiffsâ motion was untimely, the Court agreed to consider the late-filed brief. ECF No. 199. Plaintiffs opposed Defendantsâ motion on October 9, 2014, Pis.â Opp. at 22, while Defendants opposed Plaintiffsâ motion on October 10, 2014, ECF No. 206 (âDefs.â Opp.â) at 26. Defendants replied on October 16, 2014. ECF No. 208 (âDefs.â Replyâ) at 16. So too did Plaintiffs. Pis.â Reply at 17.
II. LEGAL STANDARD
Summary judgment is appropriate if, viewing the evidence and drawing all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, there are no genuine disputes of material fact, and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 321, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). At the summary judgment stage, the Court âdoes not assess credibility or weigh the evidence, but simply determines whether there is a genuine factual issue for trial.â House v. Bell, 547 U.S. 518, 559-60, 126 S.Ct. 2064, 165 L.Ed.2d 1 (2006). A fact is âmaterialâ if it âmight affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law,â and a dispute as to a material fact is âgenuineâ if there is sufficient evidence for a reasonable trier of fact to decide in favor of the nonmoving party. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). âIf the evidence is merely colorable, or is not significantly probative, summary judgment may be granted.â Id.
The moving party bears the initial burden of identifying those portions of the pleadings, discovery, and affidavits that demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. Where the moving party will have the burden of proof on an issue at trial, it must affirmatively demonstrate that no reasonable trier of fact could find other than for the moving party. Id. at 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548. But on an issue for which the opposing party will have the burden of proof at trial, the party moving for summary judgment need only point out that âthe nonmoving party has failed to make a sufficient showing on an essential element of her case with respect to which she has the burden of proof.â Id. at 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548. Once the moving party meets its initial burden, the nonmoving party must set forth, by affidavit or as otherwise provided in Rule 56, âspecific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.â Anderson, 477 U.S. at 250, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
When, as here, the parties have filed cross-motions for summary judgment, the Court âreview[s] each motion for summary judgment separately, giving the non-moving party for each motion the benefit of all reasonable inferences.â Ctr. for Bio-Ethical Reform, Inc. v. L.A. Cnty. Sheriff Depât, 533 F.3d 780, 786 (9th Cir.2008). In so doing, the Court âmust consider each partyâs evidence, regardless under which motion the evidence is offered.â Las Vegas Sands, LLC v. Nehme, 632 F.3d 526, 532 (9th Cir.2011).
Having reviewed the various motion papers, it has become clear to the Court that Plaintiffs no longer assert three causes of action listed in their FACC: Plaintiffsâ claims under Article I, Section 2(a) of the California Constitution; Plaintiffsâ claims under section 527.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure; and Campbellâs claim for IIED. For the reasons stated in Part III.A, infra, the Court GRANTS summary judgment as to these three causes of action. As a result, the following causes of action remain at issue: (1) Plaintiffsâ Ralph Act claims; (2) Plaintiffsâ Bane Act claims; (3) Plaintiffsâ battery claims; (4) Campbellâs assault claim; and (5) Campbellâs UCL claim. For the reasons stated in Parts III.B-F, infra, the Court GRANTS in part and DENIES in part Defendantsâ summary judgment motion as to Plaintiffsâ Ralph Act and Bane Act claims. The Court DENIES Plaintiffsâ motion as to those claims. The Court also DENIES both Defendantsâ and Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motions as to Plaintiffsâ battery claims and Campbellâs assault and UCL claims.
A. Plaintiffsâ Abandoned Claims
To begin, the Court has already dismissed with prejudice Plaintiffsâ claims based on Article I, Section 2(a) of the California Constitution. ECF No. 155 at 15. The parties also stipulated as much. See ECF No. 159. To the extent necessary, then, the Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ cause of action arising out of Article I, Section 2(a) of the California Constitution.
Additionally, Plaintiffs have abandoned their claims for injunctive relief under section 527.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure, and Campbell has abandoned her claim for IIED. Plaintiffs make no argument in support of either cause of action in their opposition to Defendantsâ motion. See generally Pis.â Opp. Plaintiffs do not even mention them. Nor do Plaintiffs mention them in connection with their own summary judgment motion. See generally Pis.â Mot.; Pis.â Reply. Although âsummary judgment is not properly granted simply because there is no opposition,â Atilano v. Cnty. of Butte, No. CIV. S070384 FCDKJM, 2008 WL 4078809, at *6 (E.D.Cal. Aug. 29, 2008) (citing Henry v. Gill Indus., Inc., 983 F.2d 943, 950 (9th Cir.1993)), a court âhas no obligation to search the entire case file for evidence that establishes a genuine issue of fact when the nonmovant presents inadequate opposition to a motion for summary judgment,â Fair Hous. Council of Riverside Cnty., Inc. v. Riverside Two, 249 F.3d 1132, 1136-37 (9th Cir.2001). Concerning section 527.6, which provides permanent injunctive relief for persons who have âsuffered harassment,â Cal. Civ. Code § 527.6(a)(1), there is no evidence that Plaintiffs have endured the type of harassment covered by the statute. As in a similar ease involving HTE members protesting animal walks, âSection 527.6 addresses harassment of a personal nature, such as incidents of stalking or invasions of privacy, and Plaintiffsâ allegations do not describe that type of harassment.â Bolbol v. Feld Entmât, Inc. (Bolbol II), No. C 11-5539 PSG, 2013 WL 257133, at *12 (N.D.Cal. Jan. 23, 2013); see Cal. Civ. Code § 527.6(b)(1)-(3).
Concerning Campbellâs claim for IIED, Plaintiffs have abandoned their argument regarding defendant Tripp Gorman (âGor-manâ) or the San Jose 2013 incident where Gorman allegedly taunted Campbell with references to her deceased sister. See supra note 3; FACC ¶¶ 71-76, 11819. Gorman, who was never properly served with process, is also no longer a defendant in this case. See supra note 5. Beyond the Gorman allegations, there is no evi
As Defendants have demonstrated the absence of a genuine dispute of material fact regarding these two claims, summary judgment is appropriate. See Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505 (explaining that âthere must be evidence on which the jury could reasonably find for the plaintiffâ in order to survive summary judgment); Ramirez v. City of Buena Park, 560 F.3d 1012, 1026 (9th Cir.2009) (affirming a district courtâs grant of summary judgment in defendantsâ favor âbecause Ramirez abandoned his state law claims by not, addressing them in either his Motion for Partial Summary Judgment or his Opposition to Defendantsâ Motion for Summary Judgmentâ). Accordingly, the Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ cause of action arising out of section 527.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure and GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Campbellâs cause of action for IIED.
B. Plaintiffsâ Ralph Act Claims
The Ralph Act guarantees people in California âthe right to be free from any violence, or intimidation by threat of violence, committed against their persons or property because of political affiliation, or on account of any [listed] characteristic.â Cal. Civ. Code § 51.7(a). This statute, along with the Bane Act, was enacted to âprovide a civil remedy for hate crimes.â D.C. v. Harvard-Westlake Sch., 176 Cal.App.4th 836, 844, 98 Cal.Rptr.3d 300 (2009); accord Ramirez v. Wong, 188 Cal.App.4th 1480, 1486, 116 Cal.Rptr.3d 412 (2010). To prevail on their Ralph Act claims, Plaintiffs must establish four elements: (1) Defendants committed or threatened violent acts against' Plaintiffs; (2) Defendants were motivated by their perception of Plaintiffsâ political affiliation; (3) Plaintiffs were harmed; and (4) Defendantsâ conduct was a substantial factor in causing Plaintiffs harm. See Knapps v. City of Oakland, 647 F.Supp.2d 1129, 1167 (N.D.Cal.2009) (citing Austin B. v. Escondido Union Sch. Dist., 149 Cal.App.4th 860, 880-81, 57 Cal.Rptr.3d 454 (2007)).
As to the first prong, the Ralph Act requires âviolence, or intimidation by threat of violence.â Cal. Civ. Code § 51.7(a). True, âthere is no requirement that the violence be extreme or motivated by hate.â Winarto v. Toshiba Am. Elecs. Components, Inc., 274 F.3d 1276, 1289 (9th Cir.2001). â[T]he plain meaning of the word âviolence,â â however, âclearly involves some physical, destructive act.â OSJ PEP Tenn. LLC v. Harris, No. CV 14-03741 DDP MANX, 2014 WL 4988070, at *5 (C.D.Cal. Oct. 7, 2014) (interpreting the word âviolenceâ in the Bane Act context). Violence, contrary to Plaintiffsâ assertion, demands more than âmere[ ] application of physical force.â Pis.â Mot. at 5. The cases Plaintiffs cite for that proposition are neither Ralph Act nor Bane Act cases, and, in any event, they suggest that violence in other contexts refers to the unreasonable use of physical force, not just any use. See People v. Bamba, 58 Cal.App.4th 1113, 1123, 68 Cal.Rptr.2d 450 (1997) (âIn the context of [Californiaâs false imprisonment statute], âviolenceâ means the exercise of physical force used to restrain over and above the force reasonably necessary to effect such restraintâ (internal quotation marks omitted)); People v. Bravot, 183 Cal.App.3d 93, 97, 227 Cal.Rptr. 810 (1986) (explaining that âviolenceâ in the context of Californiaâs felonious escape statute âmean[s] any wrongful application of physical forceâ (emphasis added)).
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Plaintiffs, the Court finds no triable issues of fact as to whether Defendants committed or threatened violence against Campbell during the Oakland 2010 incident and against Ennis during the San Jose 2011 and Fresno 2012 incidents. In contrast, the Court does find a genuine issue of material fact as to whether Defendants committed or threatened violence against Plaintiffs at the Oakland 2012 incident and against Ennis at the San Jose 2012 incident.
1. Oakland 2010
As to Oakland 2010, Campbell alleges that some kind of light, perhaps a laser pointer, was shone at her camera and into her eyes while she was attempting to film Circus animals at night. Campbell Decl. ¶¶ 19-20; Campbell Dep. at 194-96. The green light, according to Campbell, blurred her vision for a âshort period,â Campbell Dep. at 196-97, but Campbell offered conflicting accounts of how long the blurriness lasted, compare id. at 197 (five to ten minutes), with Campbell Decl. ¶ 19 (ten to fifteen minutes). Campbell admits she suffered no physical injury. Campbell Dep. at 216.
The undisputed video evidence confirms the absence of a genuine issue as to whether Defendants committed or threatened violence against Campbell. See Ex. C to Campbell Decl. The video begins by showing Campbell standing alone and filming a structure, presumably the Oakland arena, some distance away, and a green light constantly moving in seemingly random, circular patterns and intermittently landing on Campbellâs video camera for a split second. The video then shows that the source of the green light is inside the structure Campbell is filming and that the green light is coming out of the structure through a gap between a door in the structure and its doorframe. The green light is constantly moving in seemingly random, circular patterns and lands momentarily on passersby walking outside the structure. The scene outside the structure is quiet and calm. Only the intermittent voices of the passersby can be heard on the video. None of these conversations is directed at Campbell. Although physical
In sum, there is no evidence of violence or intimidation by threats of violence under the meaning of the Ralph Act. The video shows no âphysical, destructive actâ was ever perpetrated or threatened against Campbell. OSJ PEP Tenn., 2014 WL 4988070, at *5; see also Bolbol v. City of Daly City (Bolbol I), 754 F.Supp.2d 1095, 1102, 1117 (N.D.Cal.2010) (granting summary judgment to defendants on Ralph Act claim where officer with an alleged âhistory of harassing animal-rights activistsâ at the circus âtook hold of [an activistâs] hand that held the camera and began to hit the hand against the vehicleâ and âheld [the activistâs] hand in a âpain-complianceâ hold for approximately 15-20 minutes until additional [ ] officers arrived on the sceneâ).
As Defendants have shown there is no genuine dispute as to an essential element of a Ralph Act cause of action' â namely, whether violence was committed or threatened â the Court GRANTS Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion as to Campbellâs Ralph Act claim arising out of the Oakland 2010 incident.
2. San Jose 2011
As to San Jose 2011, Ennis alleges that the rope barrier was pulled against his body and that he found the incident âuncomfortable and embarrassing.â Ennis Deck ¶ 17; see also Ennis Dep. at 92-93 (considering it a threat or intimidation whenever the rope touches him). The video shows Ennis in broad daylight following and filming with his monopod a procession of elephants being led into a fenced-in holding area. See Ex. A to Ennis Deck, Clip 6. Ennis settles on a position to the right of a lamppost to film the holding area by raising his monopod high in the air. FEI employees hold a rope between Ennis and the elephants. The rope is to the right of Ennis near the bottom of his right leg. After showing the elephants entering the holding area, the- video pans back to Ennis, who has moved a couple feet away from the lamppost. The rope barrier has been extended to run along the left side of the lamppost and is wrapped around the lamppost. Ennis stands to the right of the lamppost. Giving Ennis the benefit of the doubt, although the video does not show it, one can infer that the rope may rest against some portion of the right side of Ennisâs shirt. Ennis is filming the elephants throughout the video. The FEI employees holding the rope are several feet away from .Ennis and are not paying Ennis any attention. No one speaks to Ennis on the video. The video does not show the rope being wrapped around En-nisâs torso, as Ennis claims. See Ennis Deck ¶ 17. Nor does the video show FEI employees âpulling the rope tautâ against Ennis. Id. The scene is calm and largely quiet. Ennis never shows the slightest indication of discomfort, embarrassment, or fear. Though injury is not a requirement, Ennis alleges none as a result of this incident. See Ennis Deck ¶¶ 16-17.
Once again, there is no evidence of violence or intimidation by threats of violence under the meaning of the Ralph Act. The undisputed video evidence shows no âphysical, destructive actâ was ever perpetrated or threatened against Ennis. OSJ PEP Tenn., 2014 WL 4988070, at *5; see also Bolbol I, 754 F.Supp.2d at 1102, 1117 (granting summary judgment to defendants on Ralph Act claim where officer charged with âenforcement of the barricadeâ physically grabbed an animal rights activistâs hand, hit it against a vehicle, and held it for 15-20 minutes until additional officers arrived).
3. Fresno 2012
As to Fresno 2012, Ennis claims that he was standing on a public sidewalk in broad daylight attempting to film animals over a wall when Circus employees threw ice and two sticks at his camera. Ennis Deci. ¶ 18. Ennis testified that none of the objects were thrown directly at his person, and that the only contact he experienced was when one of the two sticks ricocheted off a nearby pillar and hit his shoulder. Ennis Dep. at 228, 235. The undisputed video evidence shows that Ennis was standing behind a wall with his camera mounted atop a monopod so that he could film over the wall and down into the area where he anticipated the animals would be brought. See Ex. A to Ennis Deci., Clips 11-13. The clip from the perspective of Ennis's camera shows several young male Circus performers in their uniforms (some of whom have their shirts off and are bare-chested) looking up at the camera. Ex. A to Ennis Decl., Clip 13. An off-screen performer throws a stick, which hits the side of Ennis's camera. A few seconds later, the video shows a bare-chested Circus performer obtaining a running start before tossing several pieces of ice in the camera's general direction. None of the ice contacts Ennis's camera. Other than a few laughs, the scene was largely quiet. Ennis, who had standing behind a solid wall above where the Circus performers had congregated, was hidden from their view. Though neither physical injury nor property damage is a requirement, Ennis alleges none as a result of this incident. See Ennis Dep. at 232, 235.
Once more, there is no evidence of violence or intimidation by threats of violence under the meaning of the Ralph Act. The undisputed video evidence shows no "physical, destructive act" was ever perpetrated or threatened against Ennis. OSJ PEP Tenn., 2014 WL 4988070, at *5; see also Bolbol I, 754 F.Supp.2d at 1102, 1117. As Defendants have shown there is no genuine dispute as to an essential element of a Ralph Act cause of action-namely, whether violence was committed or threatened-the Court GRANTS Defendants' s~mmary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffs' summary judgment motion as to Ennis's Ralph Act claim arising out of the Fresno 2012 incident.
4. Oakland 2012
As to Oakland 2012, the Court finds a genuine dispute as to whether Defendants intimidated Plaintiffs with threats of violence. The undisputed video evidence, which lasts over six minutes, shows a nighttime animal walk that becomes contentious and almost chaotic for a few moments.
Toward the start of the video, the viewer sees an FEI employee, whom Campbell identifies as Billy Murray (âMurrayâ), walking next to Campbell and telling her at least six times to âget up on the sidewalk.â Ex. A to Campbell Deck at 0:23-0:34. After she refuses, Murray steps onto the pathway next to the street where the animals are walking and pulls the rope against Campbellâs torso as she continues to walk. Id. at 0:35-0:36. Murray then returns to the street level and begins to raise his voice at Campbell, demanding that she âget on the sidewalk now, maâam!â Id. at 0:360:45. In so doing, Murray can be seen using his body to direct Campbell onto the pathway, to which Campbell responds, âDonât fucking push me.â Id. at 0:40-0:41. Recognizing that the situation has become tense between Campbell and
Another half-minute passes without incident, when Stuart tells Campbell, âIâll leave you alone if you go up on the sidewalk.â Ex. A to Campbell Decl. at 1:37-1:38. Walking stride for stride with Campbell, Stuart begins to use his larger frame to direct Campbell toward the pathway. Id. at 1:39-1:40. Campbell then says, âGet your body off of me, dude.â Id. at 1:41-1:42. Stuart tells Campbell that she is âinto the rope,â to which Campbell replies, âThat doesnât give you any fucking right to put your body on me.â Id. at 1:43-1:47. Campbell next accuses Stuart of putting his âhands on [her],â to which Stuart asks, âDid my hand go on you?â Id. at 1:50-1:52. Acknowledging that Stuart did not in fact put his hands on her, Campbell tells him that he made contact with her body. Id. at 1:53; see also Campbell Decl. ¶ 14 (stating âmore accuratelyâ that Stuart âpushed his body against [hers]â). Campbell later testified that Stuartâs âstomach [was] protruding, and thatâs what he was pushing against [her].â Campbell Dep. at 113. Stuart denies he ever made contact with Campbell. Stuart Dep. at 55. The video, however, is ambiguous on this point, and at the summary judgment stage the Court must draw all reasonable inferences in Campbellâs favor.
A minute or so after the interaction with Stuart, a different FEI employee is heard on the video asking Campbell to get on the sidewalk. Ex. A to Campbell Decl. at 3:16. Campbell tells the employee, âGet your hands off me!â to which the employee immediately replies, âMy hands are not on you.â Id. at 3:17-3:20. Campbell then responds, âYour body is pushing against me; youâre not allowed to do that.â Id. at 3:20-3:22. Another minute or so elapses when Stuart reappears explaining to the spectators Stuartâs understanding that the Baldwin Street entrance to the arena is private property. Id. at 4:37-5:01. In response, the spectators yell at FEI employees that the entrance is open to the public, and the spectators begin to push through the rope past FEI employees and security guards. Id. at 5:04-5:35. The Court notes that the yelling and profanity in the video do not come from FEI employees or security guards.
At one point, Stuart can be seen stepping in front of a spectator and using his larger backside to block the person from proceeding. Id. at 4:53-4:55. Stuart relents after a couple seconds. Id. at 4:55. During the âcommotion,â Campbell alleges that she was forced to jump over a metal barricade in order to make her way through the entrance. Campbell Dep. at 132-34. Her leap was not captured on video. Campbell also claims that she sustained a bruise to her leg as a result of the jump. Id. at 134. She testified, however, that even though the bruise lasted about a month, she could not remember which leg she had bruised, and she took no pain medication for it. Id. at 136-38.
As to Ennis, the video evidence shows that Ennis was filming at the head of the Oakland 2012 elephant procession when Stuart and a security guard informed En-
In light of this video evidence, as well as Plaintiffsâ declarations and deposition testimony, the Court finds a genuine dispute as to whether some of Defendantsâ actions toward Plaintiffs at the Oakland 2012 incident amount to intimidation by threats of violence under the meaning of the Ralph Act. Whatâs more, triable issues of fact exist as to whether Defendantsâ conduct was motivated by Plaintiffsâ political affiliation, the Ralph Actâs second prong. The Court agrees with Plaintiffs that their animal rights activism and membership in HTE constitute a âpolitical affiliationâ for purposes of the Ralph Act. See McCalden v. Cal. Library Assân, 955 F.2d 1214, 1220-21 (9th Cir.1990) (concluding that California courts would interpret the Ralph Actâs political affiliation requirement âvery broadlyâ to include Holocaust deniers), superseded on other grounds as stated in Harmston v. City & Cnty. of S.F., 627 F.3d 1273 (9th Cir.2010); Ennis v. City of Daly City, No. C-09-05318-MHP, 2011 WL 672655, at *8 (N.D.Cal. Feb. 16, 2011) (treating Ennisâs âanimal rights activismâ as a âpolitical affiliationâ for purposes of the Ralph Act). Considering the lengthy history of discord between HTE members, Plaintiffs included, and the Circus, see Cuviello v. City of Oakland, 434 Fed.Appx. 615, 617 (9th Cir.2011) (explaining that the animal walk videos reveal âfriction between Plaintiffs and circus employeesâ), the Court finds a reasonable jury could conclude that Defendantsâ alleged misconduct at the Oakland 2012 incident was motivated by Plaintiffsâ stance on animal rights, see Bolbol II, 2013 WL 257133, at *6 (denying summary judgment on animal rights activistsâ Ralph Act claims because âa reasonable jury could look at Plaintiffsâ video evidence and conclude that Feldâs employees knew that they engaged in their protests because of their positions on animal rightsâ). Finally, triable issues of fact exist as to whether Plaintiffs were harmed as a result of Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 incident, the third and fourth prongs under the Ralph Act. See, e.g., Ennis Decl. ¶ 23 (alleging âemotional distress ... as a result of the harassment by the Circusâ); Campbell Decl. ¶ 15 (describing the bruise to her leg).
As both parties have failed to show the absence of a genuine dispute as to whether Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 incident violated the Ralph Act, the Court DENIES Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion.
5. San Jose 2012
As to San Jose 2012, Ennis alleges that an unknown FEI employee âpurposely walked intoâ him while Ennis was standing alone on a public sidewalk attempting to film Circus animals over the back gate
In light of the undisputed video evidence, as well as Ennisâs declaration and deposition testimony, the Court finds a genuine dispute as to whether Defendantsâ actions toward Ennis at the San Jose 2012 incident constitute violence or intimidation by threats of violence under the meaning of the Ralph Act. For the reasons discussed in Part III.B.4, supra, the Court also finds triable issues of fact as to whether Defendantsâ conduct caused Ennis harm and was motivated by Ennisâs political affiliation as an animal rights activist. See Bolbol II, 2013 WL 257133, at *6; Ennis Decl. ¶ 23.
As both parties have failed to show the absence of a genuine dispute as to whether Defendantsâ conduct at the San Jose 2012 incident violated the Ralph Act, the Court DENIES Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion.
C. Plaintiffsâ Bane Act Claims
The Bane Act provides a civil cause of action for â[a]ny individual whose exercise or enjoyment of rights secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or of rights secured by the Constitution or laws of [California], has been interfered with, or attempted to be interfered withâ through actual or attempted âthreats, intimidation, or coercion.â Cal. Civ. Code § 52.1(a)-(b). âThe word âinterferesâ as used in [§ 52.1] means âviolates.â â Barsamian v. City of Kingsburg, 597 F.Supp.2d 1054, 1064 (E.D.Cal.2009) (quoting Austin B., 149 Cal.App.4th at 883, 57 Cal.Rptr.3d 454). Like the Ralph Act, the Bane Act âwas adopted to stem a tide of hate crimes,â but it is not limited to such crimes. Venegas v. Cnty. of L.A., 32 Cal.4th 820, 11 Cal.Rptr.3d 692, 87 P.3d 1, 14 (2004). That said, the statute âdoes not extend to all ordinary tort actions.â Id.
To prevail on a Bane Act claim, thus, Plaintiffs must make two showings: (1) Defendants interfered with Plaintiffsâ constitutional or statutory rights; and (2) that interference was accompanied by actual or attempted threats, intimidation, or coercion. See Venegas, 11 Cal.Rptr.3d 692, 87 P.3d at 14; Barsamian, 597 F.Supp.2d at 1064. Only if Plaintiffs can first establish that Defendants violated a constitutional or statutory right can the Court consider whether such interference was the product of threats, intimidation, or coercion.
Plaintiffs premise their Bane Act claims on a host of alleged statutory and constitutional violations under California law. See FACC ¶ 109. These include violations of
1. California Civil Code § 3479
Plaintiffs first allege Bane Act liability on the basis that their âright against unlawful obstruction of the free use of any street or public property,â as provided in section 3479 of the California Civil Code, was violated. FACC ¶ 109(A). Section 3479 is a nuisance statute prohibiting, inter alia, anything that âunlawfully obstructs the free passage or use, in the customary manner, of ... any public park, square, street, or highway.â Cal. Civ. Code § 3479. As private persons, Plaintiffs may maintain a public nuisance action only if they are âspeciallyâ injured. Id. § 3493.
Plaintiffs, however, provide no authority suggesting that a breach of section 3479 may serve as a predicate for Bane Act liability. In addition, Plaintiffs in their motion papers make no reference to section 3479 as a basis for Bane Act liability. See generally Pis.â Mot.; Pis.â Opp.; Pis.â Reply. In fact, the singular reference to section 3479 in Plaintiffsâ briefing appears in their reply supporting their partial summary judgment motion. See Pis.â Reply at 6. This fleeting reference, moreover, appears in the context of Plaintiffsâ battery claims and does not mention the Bane Act. See id. The Court therefore concludes that Plaintiffs have abandoned section 3479 as a predicate for Bane Act liability. Ramirez, 560 F.3d at 1026.
Even if the claim could serve as a Bane Act predicate and had not been abandoned, summary judgment would still be appropriate because there is no evidence that Plaintiffs were âspeciallyâ injured by Defendantsâ alleged conduct. Cal. Civ. Code § 3493. During the Oakland 2012 incident, the evidence shows that all members of the public, activists and non-activists alike, were kept outside the rope barrier and blocked temporarily from entering the Baldwin Street entrance. See Ex. A to Campbell Deck; Voigt Dep. at 50. Plaintiffs, therefore, cannot show special injury because there is no evidence' that Plaintiffs were singled out such that only they were prevented from passing through the gate. See Bolbol II, 2013 WL 257133, at *8 (granting summary judgment on Bane Act claim predicated on section 3479 where HTE plaintiffs had failed to âshow that they were âspeciallyâ injured by any of Feldâs alleged nuisance actionsâ); see also Kempton v. City of L.A., 165 Cal.App.4th 1344, 1349, 81 Cal.Rptr.3d 852 (2008) (holding that if an injury caused by blocking a public right-of-way âwould be suffered by all members of the public,â it would not alone âconstitute a special injury to appellants actionable for public nuisanceâ).
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of section 3479 of the California Civil Code.
2. Paramount Right to Use Public Streets
Plaintiffs next claim Bane Act 'liability on the basis that their âparamount rightâ as members of the public âto use the public streetsâ was violated. FACC ¶ 109(B). â[A]s members of the general public,â Plaintiffs argue that they âhad a pre-exist-ing and paramount right to access the public streets in each of the cities where the underlying incidents took place.â Pis.â Opp. at 4-5. Plaintiffs, however, cite no actual statutory or constitutional provision in support of this claim. Nor do Plaintiffs cite any authority to suggest that Bane Act liability may be premised on a viola
Even if such a violation could provide a basis for Bane Act liability, there is no evidence to suggest that Plaintiffsâ right to use the public streets was any greater than that of Defendants. If anything, the evidence shows that it was Defendants who enjoyed a superior right of access at the time of the relevant incidents because they obtained municipal permits prior to staging the animal walks. There is no dispute, for example, that Defendants obtained a special events permit for the Oakland 2012 walk, and that the waik was led by police escorts. See Bailey Deck ¶¶ 3-5; Bailey Dep. at 46-54, 63-64, 85-88. Plaintiffs, it is true, allege that Defendants exceeded the scope of the permit by occupying the entirety of Baldwin Street andâ âdenying] Plaintiffs minimal space to walk along the side of the street.â Pis.â Opp. at 6, 16-17. Yet Plaintiffs offer no evidence to support their assertion that Defendants violated permitting laws. All Plaintiffs cite is Baileyâs deposition testimony indicating that he worked with the Oakland police department to obtain the special events permit. See Pis.â Opp. at 17 (citing Bailey Dep. at 46-49, 61-66). Again, this testimony suggests only that Defendants acted in accordance with law by obtaining a permit to hold the animal walk.
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of Plaintiffsâ right to use the public streets. To the extent Plaintiffs moved for summary judgment on the issue, see Pis.â Mot. at 23-24, the Court DENIES that motion.
3. California Penal Code § 647c
Plaintiffs next allege Bane Act liability on the basis that their âright to be free from the willful and malicious obstruction of [their] free movementâ in public, as protected by section 647c of the California Penal Code, was violated. FACC ¶ 109(C). Under this criminal statute, â[e]very person who willfully and maliciously obstructs the free movement of any person on any street, sidewalk, or other public place or on or in any place open to the public is guilty of a misdemeanor.â CaLPenal Code § 647c. To establish criminal malice under this law, Plaintiffs must show that Defendants acted with either (1) âa wish to vex, annoy, or injureâ Plaintiffs; or (2) âan intent to do a wrongful actâ banned by law. Ramey v. Murphy, 165 Cal.App.3d 502, 510, 212 Cal.Rptr. 14 (1985).
Plaintiffs offer no authority to suggest that a violation of section 647c â or any other criminal statute, for that matter â may serve as a basis for Bane Act liability. The Court, for its part, has found none. As the California courts have explained, âThe essence of a Bane Act claim is that the defendant, by the specified improper means (i.e., âthreats, intimidation or coercionâ), tried to or did prevent the plaintiff from doing something he or she had the right to ,do under the law or to force the plaintiff to do something that he or she was not required to do under the law.â Austin B., 149 Cal.App.4th at 883, 57 Cal.Rptr.3d 454. Plaintiffs, however, appear to have invented a statutory right for Bane Act purposes based on the fact that a criminal prohibition exists in California on the willful and malicious obstruction of anotherâs free movement. As Plaintiffs have no civil cause of action under section 647c, the Court declines to allow Plaintiffs to rely on it as a predicate for a separate civil cause of action. See Cent Bank of Denver, N.A. v. First Interstate Bank of Den
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of section 647c of the California Penal Code. The Court also DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion on this issue.
4. California Civil Code § 1708
Plaintiffs next claim Bane Act liability on the basis that their âright to be free from injury of property and infringement upon rightsâ under section 1708 of the California Civil Code was violated. FACC ¶ 109(D). Section 1708 provides that â[e]very person is bound, without contract, to abstain from injuring the person or property of another, or infringing upon any of his or her rights.â Cal. Civ. Code § 1708. With respect to âinjuring the person,â this provision ârequires âharmâ in the sense of detrimental physical changes to the body.â Duarte v. Zachariah, 22 Cal.App.4th 1652, 1661, 28 Cal.Rptr.2d 88 (1994). This provision âstates only a general principle of lawâ and does not provide a private cause of action, Ley v. State, 114 Cal.App.4th 1297, 1306, 8 Cal.Rptr.3d 642 (2004), and Plaintiffs cite no authority to suggest that Bane Act liability may be premised on a breach of section 1708.
In their motion papers, moreover, Plaintiffs make no reference to section 1708 as a basis for Bane Act liability. See generally Pis.â Mot.; Pis.â Opp.; Pis.â Reply. In fact, Plaintiffs do not even mention the provision. The Court therefore concludes that Plaintiffs have abandoned section 1708 as a predicate for Bane Act liability. See Ramirez, 560 F.3d at 1026. With no argument in support of this claim, the Court has no way of knowing which right or rights guaranteed by section 1708 Plaintiffs are alleging have been violated. See FACC ¶ 109(D) (referencing vaguely âinfringement upon rightsâ). The Court declines to speculate. See Bias v. Moynihan, 508 F.3d 1212, 1219 (9th Cir.2007) (âA district court does not have a duty to search for evidence that would create a factual dispute.â). To the extent Plaintiffs allege only âinjury of property,â FACC ¶ 109(D), the evidence shows that there was no property damage resulting from Defendantsâ conduct, see Ennis Dep. at 232 (testifying that the stick hitting his camera. during the Fresno 2012 incident caused no property damage).
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of section 1708 of the California Civil Code. See Bolbol II, 2013 WL 257133, at *8-9 (granting summary judgment as to HTE plaintiffsâ Bane Act claim predicated on section 1708); Ennis, 2011 WL 672655, at *7 (dismissing Ennisâs Bane Act claim predicated on section 1708).
5. Article I of the California Constitution
Plaintiffs next allege Bane Act liability on the basis that their rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and liberty, as guaranteed by Article I of the California Constitution, were violated. FACC ¶ 109(E)-(G). Article I, Section 2(a) of the California Constitution provides: âEvery person may freely speak, write and publish his or her sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of this right. A law may not restrain or abridge liberty of speech or press. Cal. Const. art. I, § 2(a). The Court, however, has already ruled
Plaintiffsâ other constitutional predicates fare no better. Article I, Section 3(a) guarantees Californians âthe right to instruct their representatives, petition government for redress of grievances, and assemble freely to consult for the common good.â Cal. Const. art. I, § 3(a). All Plaintiffs allege here is that Defendants âhave no right to restrict the right to speech or assembly in streets and other public forums.â Pis.â Opp. at 7. Plaintiffs make no argument-and there is no evidence to support a claim-that Defendants actually violated their right to assemble freely. What evidence does exist shows that Plaintiffs were allowed to assemble and protest, see Ex. A to Campbell Deck (video clip showing Oakland 2012 animal walk and protest).
Furthermore, Article I, Section 1 guarantees a right to âliberty.â Cal. Const, art. I, § 1. Yet again, however, Plaintiffs fail to mention this provision in their briefing, let alone in connection with their Bane Act claim. There is no evidence to explain how the facts Plaintiffs allege give rise to a violation of their right to liberty such that Bane Act liability may attach. Simply alleging this provision as a Bane Act predicate in their FACC is insufficient. See Bolbol II, 2013 WL 257133, at *10-11 (granting summary judgment on Bane Act claim where plaintiffs âfailed to explain how the facts they allege give rise to violations of [Article I, Section 1]â).
6. California Civil Code § 43
Plaintiffs next claim Bane Act liability on the basis that their âright to be free from bodily harm,â as secured by section 43 of the California Civil Code, was violated. FACC ¶ 109(H). Section 43 guarantees, inter alia, a personâs âright of protection from bodily restraint or harm.â ' Cal. Civ. Code § 43. âThe phrase âright of protection from bodily restraint or harmâ refers simply to an individualâs right to be free from physical attack or the threat thereof.â Atilano, 2008 WL 4078809, at *6 (quoting People v. Lashley, 1 Cal.App.4th 938, 951, 2 Cal.Rptr.2d 629 (1991)) (internal quotation marks omitted). Plaintiffs provide no authority suggesting that section 43 may serve as a predicate for Bane Act liability. The Court, however, has found several eases in which plaintiffs asserted Bane Act liability based on section 43 and courts elected not to dismiss those claims as a matter of law. See, e.g., Medrano v. Kern Cnty. Sheriffâs Officer, 921 F.Supp.2d 1009, 1015 n. 2 (E.D.Cal.2013); see also Bolbol v. City of Daly City, No. C-09-1944 EMC, 2011 WL 3156866, at *7 (N.D.Cal. July 26, 2011) (denying defendantsâ âmotion to dismiss the § 52.1 claim based on a violation of § 43â). The Court will therefore allow Plaintiffs to proceed on this theory of Bane Act liability.
For the reasons stated in Part III.B., supra, the Court finds a triable issue of fact as to whether Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 and San Jose 2012 incidents violated Plaintiffsâ right to be free from bodily harm or the threat thereof under section 43. See Ex. A to Campbell Deck; Ex. A to Ennis Deck, Clips 1, 8-10. The Court also finds a genuine dispute as to whether that alleged violation of section 48 was accompanied by actual or attempted threats, intimidation, or coercion, the Bane Actâs second prong. The Court finds no genuine dispute regarding the Oakland 2010, San Jose 2011, and Fresno 2012 incidents. The undisputed video evidence of those three incidents provides no basis for a reasonable jury to conclude that Plaintiffsâ âright to be free from physical attack or the threat thereofâ was violated. Atilano, 2008 WL 4078809, at *6 (internal quotation marks omitted); see Ex. C to Campbell Deck; Ex. A to Ennis Deck, Clips 6,1113.
Accordingly, as both parties have failed to show the absence of a genuine dispute as to whether Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 and San Jose 2012 incidents violated the Bane Act by way of section 43 of the California Civil Code, the Court DENIES Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion with respect to those incidents. The Court GRANTS Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion with respect to the Oakland 2010, San Jose 2011, and Fresno 2012 incidents.
7. California Civil Code § 51.7 (Ralph Act)
Finally, Plaintiffs argue in their summary judgment motion that Defendantsâ alleged violation of the Ralph Act provides a basis for liability under the Bane Act. See Pis.â Mot. at 15, 17. This argument fails because Plaintiffs never pled the Ralph Act as a predicate for liability under the Bane Act. See FACC ¶ 109; see also Bergman v. Bank of Am., No. C-13-00741 JCS, 2013 WL 5863057, at *20 (N.D.Cal. Oct. 23, 2013) (âBecause this assertion is not in the Complaint, the
Accordingly, the Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of section 51.7 of the California Civil Code. The Court also DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion on this issue.
8. Conclusion
Because the Court finds triable issues of fact that Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 and San Jose 2012 incidents violated the Bane Act by way of section 43 of the California Civil Code, the Court DENIES Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion as to the section 43 predicate only and only with respect to the Oakland 2012 and San Jose 2012 incidents. The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to each of Plaintiffsâ remaining Bane Act causes of action, and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion with respect to the remaining Bane Act causes of action asserted in Plaintiffsâ motion.
D. Plaintiffsâ Battery Claims
âTo prevail on a claim of battery under California law, a plaintiff must establish that: (1) the defendant touched the plaintiff or caused the plaintiff to be touched with the intent to harm or offend the plaintiff; (2) the plaintiff did not consent to the touching; (3) the plaintiff was harmed or offended by defendantâs conduct; and (4) a reasonable person in plaintiffs situation would have been offended by the touching.â Avina v. United States, 681 F.3d 1127, 1130-31 (9th Cir.2012). It is well-settled under California law âthat âthe least touchingâ may constitute battery.â People v. Mansfield, 200 Cal.App.3d 82, 88, 245 Cal.Rptr. 800 (1988). âIn other words, force against the person is enough; it need not be violent or severe, it need not cause bodily harm or even pain, and it need not leave any mark.â Id.
For. the reasons stated in Part III.B, supra, the Court finds a triable issue of fact as to whether Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 and San Jose 2012 incidents amounted to battery against Campbell and Ennis under California law. See Ex. A to Campbell Deck; Ex. A to Ennis Deck, Clips 1, 8-10. The Court finds no genuine dispute regarding the Oakland 2010, San Jose 2011, and Fresno 2012 incidents. The undisputed video evidence of those three incidents provides no basis for a reasonable jury to conclude that Defendants touched Plaintiffs (or caused them to be touched) in an objectively offensive manner. See Ex. C to Campbell Deck; Ex. A to Ennis Deck, Clips 6,11-13.
As both parties have failed to show the absence of a genuine dispute as to whether Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 and San Jose 2012 incidents, constituted battery under California law, the Court DENIES Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion with respect to those incidents. The Court GRANTS Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion with respect to the Oakland 2010, San Jose 2011, and Fresno 2012 incidents.
âUnder California law, to prevail on the tort of assault, the plaintiff must establish that: (1) the defendant threatened to touch the plaintiff in a harmful or offensive manner; (2) it reasonably appeared to the plaintiff that the defendant was about to carry out the threat; (3) the plaintiff did not consent to the defendantâs conduct; (4) the plaintiff was harmed; and (5) the defendantâs conduct was a substantial factor in causing the plaintiffs harm.â Avino, 681 F.Bd at 1130. As with battery, â[p]hysical injury is not a required elementâ of assault. Kiseskey v. Carpentersâ Trust for S. Cal., 144 Cal.App.3d 222, 232, 192 Cal.Rptr. 492 (1983).
For the reasons stated in Part III.B, supra, the Court finds a triable issue of fact as to whether Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 incident amounted to assault against Campbell under California law. As both parties have failed to show the absence of a genuine dispute as to whether Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 incident constituted assault under California law, the Court with respect to that incident DENIES Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion.
Regarding the Oakland 2010 incident, the only other incident involving Campbell, the undisputed video evidence reveals no threat that Campbell would be touched in a harmful or offensive manner on account of the randomly flashing green light. See Ex. C to Campbell Decl. With respect to the Oakland 2010 incident, the Court GRANTS Defendantsâ summary judgment motion and DENIES Plaintiffsâ summary judgment motion.
F. Campbellâs UCL Claim
âBy proscribing any unlawful business practice, the UCL borrows violations of other laws and treats them as unlawful practices that the unfair competition law makes independently actionable.â Alvarez v. Chevron Corp., 656 F.3d 925, 933 n. 8 (9th Cir.2011) (alteration and internal quotation marks omitted). âVirtually any law federal, state or local can serve as a predicate for an action under [the UCL].â Smith v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 93 Cal.App.4th 700, 718, 113 Cal.Rptr.2d 399 (2001). âIf a plaintiff cannot state a claim under the predicate law, however, [the UCL] claim also fails.â Stokes v. CitiMortgage, Inc., No. CV 14-00278 BRO SHX, 2014 WL 4359193, at *11 (C.D.Cal. Sept. 3, 2014) (internal quotation marks omitted). To establish standing under the UCL, a plaintiff must demonstrate that she âsuffered injury in fact and ... lost money or property as a result of the unfair competition.â Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17204; see Ogden v. Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, No. 5:12-CV-01828-LHK, 2014 WL 27527, at *7 (N.D.Cal. Jan. 2, 2014).
To establish standing under the UCL, Campbell has alleged that Defendantsâ conduct in general forced her to âincur substantial additional expense in order to purchase memory cards.â FACC ¶ 94. During discovery, Defendants asked Campbell for details about âthe additional memory cardsâ referenced in the complaint. ECF No. 208-2, Campbell Third Supplemental Response to FEIâs Special Interrogatories at 4. In response, Campbell listed four different types of memory: (1) eighteen Mini DVDs; (2) twenty Mini DV tapes; (3) one 2GB SD card; and (4) two 32GB SD cards. Id. at 5-6. She estimated the total cost of these items to be $235.35. Id. at 6. Later, at her deposition, Campbell testified that the media listed in her interrogatory answer and the $235.35 figure actually referred to everything she had in her possession, not just the âadditionalâ cards she claimed she had to purchase because of Defendantsâ alleged
As to the substance of Campbellâs UCL âunlawfulâ claim, the Court has already found a genuine dispute regarding whether the Bane Act (by way of section 43 of the California Civil Code only) and the Ralph Act were violated with respect to Defendantsâ conduct at the Oakland 2012 incident. As a result, the Court must find a triable issue as to whether the UCL was violated on the basis of those predicate offenses only. The Court therefore DENIES Defendantsâ summary judgment motion as to Campbellâs UCL claim with respect to the Oakland 2012 incident.
As to the Oakland 2010 incident, the only other incident involving Campbell, the Court has already granted summary judgment in Defendantsâ favor. Because there is no violation of a predicate law, the Court GRANTS Defendantsâ summary judgment motion with respect to Campbellâs UCL claim regarding the Oakland 2010 incident. See Stokes, 2014 WL 4359193, at *11 (âIf a plaintiff cannot state a claim under the predicate law, however, [the UCL] claim also fails.â (internal quotation marks omitted)).
IV. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court rules on the partiesâ summary judgment motions as follows:
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ cause of action arising out of Article I, Section 2(a) of the California Constitution;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ cause of action arising out of section 527.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedure;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Campbellâs cause of action for IIED;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Ralph Act cause of action arising out of the Oakland 2010, San Jose 2011, and Fresno 2012 incidents;
âą The Court DENIES summary judgment for both parties as to Plaintiffsâ Ralph Act cause of action arising out of the Oakland 2012 and San Jose 2012 incidents;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of section 3479 of the California Civil Code;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of the right to use the public streets;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of â Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of section 647c of the California Penal Code;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of section 1708 of the California Civil Code;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action*1220 predicated on violations of Article I of the California Constitution;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of section 43 of the California Civil Code with respect to the Oakland 2010, San Jose 2011, and Fresno 2012 incidents;
âą The Court DENIES summary judgment for both parties as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of section 43 of the California Civil Code with respect to the Oakland 2012 and San Jose 2012 incidents;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ Bane Act cause of action predicated on a violation of the Ralph Act;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Plaintiffsâ battery cause of action arising out of the Oakland 2010, San Jose 2011, and Fresno 2012 incidents;
âą The Court DENIES summary judgment for both parties as to Plaintiffsâ battery cause of action arising out of the Oakland 2012 and San Jose 2012 incidents;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Campbellâs assault cause of action arising out of the Oakland 2010 incident;
âą The Court DENIES summary judgment for both parties as to Campbellâs assault cause of action arising out of the Oakland 2012 incident;
âą The Court GRANTS summary judgment in favor of Defendants as to Campbellâs UCL claim arising out of the Oakland 2010 incident; and
âą The Court DENIES summary judgment for both parties as to Campbellâs UCL claim arising out of the Oakland 2012 incident.
The Court also GRANTS Plaintiffsâ request for judicial notice, STRIKES any references in the FACC to Dennis, Gillet, and Gorman, DENIES Plaintiffsâ Motion for Leave to File a Fifth Amended Complaint, and DENIES Defendantsâ Motion for Sanctions.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
. Unless otherwise indicated, all ECF references are from the docket of No. 12-04233.
. See, e.g., Cuviello v. Feld Entmât, Inc., No. 13-03135 (N.D. Cal.); Cuviello v. City & Cnty. of S.F., No. 12-03034 (N.D. Cal.); Bolbol v. Feld Entmât, Inc., No. 11-05539 (N.D. Cal.); Cuviello v. Cal Expo, No. 11-02456 (E.D. Cal.); Ennis v. City of Daly City, No. 09-05318 (N.D. Cal.); Cuviello v. City of Oakland, No. 09-02955 (N.D. Cal.); Bolbol v. City of Daly City, No. 09-01944 (N.D. Cal.); Cuviello v. City of Oakland, No. 06-05517 (N.D. Cal.); Bolbol v. Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus, No. 04-00082 (N.D. Cal.).
. Plaintiffsâ FACC and their subsequent declarations refer to additional incidents of alleged misconduct. Plaintiffs have confirmed, however, that the Stockton 2007, Oakland 2008, Oakland 2009, and Daly City 2011 incidents are not at issue. ECF No. 201 ("Pis.â Opp.â) at 8. Plaintiffsâ motion papers also abandon any allegations arising out of the San Jose 2013 incident, for which the Court granted Campbell leave to supplement her complaint. See ECF No. 154 at 21. In addition, Defendants argue that Plaintiffs have surrendered any claims arising out of the Oakland 2010 incident because Plaintiffs failed to raise the incident in their opposition. See ECF No. 208 (âDefs.â Replyâ) at 3. However, because Plaintiffs discuss the Oaldand 2010 incident in both their partial summary judgment motion and their reply, see Pis.â Mot. at 18-20; ECF No. 209 ("Pis.â Replyâ) at 3, the Court will consider Plaintiffsâ claims arising out of that incident, see Davis v. City of Las Vegas, 478 F.3d 1048, 1058-59 (9th Cir.2007) (finding no abandonment for purposes of appeal where plaintiff "did not oppose summary judgment as to the battery claimâ but âfil[ed] his own motion for partial summary judgment in which he sought summary judgment as to the battery claimâ).
. A federal injunction, according to Plaintiffs, provides the basis for approval. See Cuviello v. City of Oakland, No. C 06-05517 MHP EMC, 2007 WL 2349325, at *8 (N.D.Cal. Aug. 15, 2007) (granting an injunction allowing activists "to stand at or near the railway of the [Oakland arenaâs] north ramp landing in order to photograph or videotape circus animalsâ). Plaintiffs ask the Court to take judicial notice of (1) then-Magistrate Judge Chen's Report and Recommendation advising that the injunction be modified; (2) Judge Patelâs adoption of the Report and Recommendation; (3) FEI's motion to intervene in that case; and (4) FEI's opposition to the plaintiffsâ motion in that case for an order to show cause why FEI should not be held in contempt. See ECF No. 190. The Court GRANTS Plaintiffs' request as to all these documents because they are matters of public record not subject to reasonable dispute. In re Yahoo Mail Litig., 7 F.Supp.3d 1016, 1024 (N.D.Cal.2014) (explaining that "[pjroper subjects of judicial noticeâ include "court documents already in the public record and documents filed in other courtsâ (citing Holder v. Holder, 305 F.3d 854 866 (9th Cir.2002)).
. The FACC also named James Dennis (âDennisâ), Matthew Gillet (âGilletâ), and Tripp Gorman ("Gormanâ) as defendants. Dennis and Gillet, however, have already been dismissed and stricken from previous complaints. See ECF No. 154 at 26 (dismissing Dennis and Gillet from the SACC pursuant to the partiesâ agreement); ECF No. 155 at 14-15 (striking Dennis and Gillet from the TACC). Gorman, on the other hand, was never properly served with process. See ECF No. 181; see also ECF No. 186 (Clerk declining default against Gorman). Plaintiffs do not argue otherwise. Plaintiffs have also abandoned their claims arising out of Gor-manâs conduct by failing to mention any such claims in their motion papers. See Jenkins v. Cnty. of Riverside, 398 F.3d 1093, 1095 (9th Cir.2005) (per curiam) (noting that a party abandoned claims not defended in opposition to a motion for summary judgment). Accordingly, the Court sua sponte STRIKES any references in the FACC to Dennis, Gillet, and Gorman. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(f)(1) (permitting the.Court âon its ownâ to âstrike from a pleading ... any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matterâ).
. Campbell testified that she took pictures of the bruise. Campbell Dep. at 135. Those pictures were not included with Plaintiffs' motion papers, so the Court has not seen them.
. Plaintiffs have filed a Motion for Leave to File a Fifth Amended Complaint in order to reassert liability under Article I, Section 2(a) of the California Constitution and to add Alex Petrov ("Petrovâ), the animal superintendent at the Oakland 2012 incident, as a defendant. ECF No. 216. Plaintiffs, however, point to no "substantially differentâ evidence or "other changed circumstancesâ warranting the Court to revisit its prior rulings that Defendants are not state actors. United States v. Alexander, 106 F.3d 874, 876 (9th Cir.1997). The Court also finds that amendment would be futile. See Mujica v. AirScan Inc., 771 F.3d 580, 593 n. 8 (9th Cir.2014). Further, Plaintiffs have not provided âgood causeâ to add an additional defendant. Fed. R. Civ. P. 16(b)(4). The "good causeâ inquiry "primarily considers the diligence of the party seeking the amendment.â Johnson v. Mammoth Recreations, Inc., 975 F.2d 604, 609 (9th Cir. 1992). Here, Plaintiffsâ request to add Petrov as a defendant could have been made months ago. See ECF No. 216 at 8-9. Plaintiffs offer no persuasive explanation for the delay, and Defendants would be prejudiced by allowing amendment at this late date, months after the close of expert discovery. For these reasons, the Court DENIES Plaintiffs' Motion for Leave to File a Fifth Amended Complaint. See Carvalho v. Equifax Info. Servs., LLC, 629 F.3d 876, 892 (9th Cir.2010) (explaining that a court properly denies leave to amend where there is "undue delayâ or "repeated failure to cure deficiencies by amendments previously allowedâ).
The Court also DENIES Defendants' Motion for Sanctions under 28 U.S.C. § 1927, see ECF No. 221, because the Court is not convinced that Plaintiffs' counsel has acted with sufficient "recklessnessâ in filing the motion for leave to amend, In re Girardi, 611 F.3d 1027, 1061 (9th Cir.2010).