A federal judge on Monday denied a request from a Boston police officer to dismiss civil claims alleging he struck a demonstrator with a baton without cause during a May 2020 George Floyd protest that started peacefully but became violent as the night wore on .

Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued her ruling in US District Court in Boston, where four demonstrators have filed suit against the city and three police officers, Michael Burke, Edward Joseph Nolan, and Michael J. McManus.

The ruling denied Burke’s motion to dismiss the claims against him stemming from the May 31, 2020, demonstration, allowing those allegations to move forward as part of the lawsuit, which remains pending.

“Burke struck [plaintiff Justin] Ackers with his wooden riot baton around 10:08 p.m., knocking him to

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