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DENVER (AP) -- Eight people have filed a lawsuit alleging they were wrongfully arrested during a protest at last year's Democratic convention in Denver.

The suit was filed Wednesday in Denver District Court by the American Civil Liberties Union against the city and county of Denver.

Mark Silverstein, the ACLU's Colorado legal director, says police arrested some people who were watching the demonstration from sidewalks, where they had a legal right to be. He says police didn't issue an order to disperse.

The Denver city attorney's office didn't immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment Thursday.

The suit also seeks class-action status for nearly 100 others who were arrested and held at a temporary jail during the convention, claiming they were denied access to lawyers.

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