Firefighters sue New York over arrests

They were protesting Ground Zero personnel cuts

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is one of the people named in the firefighters' lawsuit.

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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Eight New York City firefighters have filed a lawsuit against the city of New York, contending that they were falsely arrested during a protest by firefighters a year ago.

About 500 firefighters took part in the protest, and some 15 were arrested on charges that were dropped in December.

The protest last November was in response to the city's decision to reduce the number of fire department personnel assigned to search-and-recovery operations at Ground Zero.

The lawsuit -- which also names former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, a number of senior officials of the Giuliani administration, and police officers -- also alleges that the firefighters were wrongly imprisoned and their civil rights were violated.

Ronald Kleigerman, the attorney representing the firefighters, told CNN the complaint was filed last week in U.S. District Court.

Kate Ahlers, spokeswoman for the city's corporation counsel, declined comment, saying the office had "not yet seen the paperwork."

"The charges (against the firefighters) were eventually dropped," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, "but they certainly have a right to access the court."

In addition to Giuliani, the lawsuit names:

•Former Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik.

•Former Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen.

•Police Chief Joseph Esposito.

•Seven police officers who confronted firefighters or made the arrests.

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