SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle has agreed to pay $10 million to 50 demonstrators who sued over the police department’s heavy-handed response to racial justice protests in 2020, in a settlement announced by attorneys from both sides Wednesday.
The police department — led by then-Chief Carmen Best — used aggressive techniques to disperse the crowds, including flash-bang grenades, foam-tipped projectiles and blast balls that explode and emit pepper gas.
A federal judge at one point ordered the department to stop using them against peaceful demonstrators.
And when police used them even after Best and then-Mayor Jenny Durkan promised it would stop, the City Council voted unanimously to bar the department from doing so.
“This decision was the best financial decision for the City considering risk, cost, and insurance,” Davison said.
Persons:
George Floyd, ”, —, Carmen Best —, Jenny Durkan, Aubreanna Inda, “, ” Karen Koehler, Ann Davison, ” Davison
Organizations:
SEATTLE, Minneapolis police, City Council, City, Peaceful
Locations:
Seattle