Left wing protesters hold a counter protest against right wing protesters participating in a political rally on July 25, 2021 in New York City. (AFP photo)

A proposal is being considered by lawmakers in a New York suburban county, which would allow police forces to sue protesters and claim damage.

The Nassau County Legislature claims that the proposal is meant to protect law enforcement and first responders, citing human rights.

Critics have asserted that the measure is designed to create panic among certain communities, in the wake of the police gruesome killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year.

If you want to shut someone down, take away their livelihood, Civil rights lawyer Frederick Brewington told reporters Friday. If you want to shut someone down take away their spirit. This is intended to evoke fear in the community ... This is payback. It’s not right. It’s not acceptable and it is against the law.

The proposal comes as the nation is already outraged by police brutality against protesters and a sharp spike in violent crime.

County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat, has said through a spokesperson that she looks forward to hearing the public comment and discussion and will review any potential amendments that may be proposed by the legislature.

US police is notorious for brutality against protesters and racial minorities After a video of George Floyd dying under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer was released, the nation rose up to slam violence against people of color in police departments.

The legitimacy of the American police remains in question as trust between the law enforcement and different communities is being eroded alongside an uptick in violence across the States.