EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) -- Two federal lawsuits filed Thursday morning accuse the city of East Lansing of having policies and practices “to treat minorities differently.”

The allegations come in lawsuits accusing the city, East Lansing Police Chief Jennifer Brown and Officer Andrew Lyon of excessive force, false arrest, excessive detention, common law battery, slander and libel for the pepper spraying and arrests of Lonnie Smith and Mason Woods on Aug. 24 in front of Dave’s Hot Chicken in downtown East Lansing.

Brown and Lyon are sued in their professional and individual capacities.

Woods and Smith, who are Black, allege violations of the state and federal constitutions in the 8 count lawsuits filed in the U.S. Federal District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

“The City o

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