MILWAUKEE — A group of abortion opponents has sued the city of Milwaukee and 21 police officers, contending they systematically violated the protesters’ civil rights through harassment, intimidation and improper enforcement of ordinances.

The eight plaintiffs say they regularly pray, sing, hold signs, hand out pamphlets and engage in "non-threatening sidewalk counseling" in the vicinity of two clinics that perform abortions. The lawsuit states they are aware of and observe the restrictions imposed in a 1993 court injunction regarding abortion protests in Milwaukee.