The city of Seattle has reached a settlement agreement with 50 Black Lives Matter protesters who sued the police department for alleged excessive force during the 2020 riots. The city will pay $10 million to the protesters in a move that City Attorney Davison describes as the best financial decision considering the risks, costs, and insurance involved. The settlement aims to resolve the majority of claims arising from the 2020 demonstration period, allowing the city to focus on current issues and move forward from events four years ago.
According to the city, the complaint involved numerous interactions between protesters and law enforcement officials, resulting in over a million pages of records, thousands of videos, hundreds of witness interviews, and extensive court filings. However, the city maintains that it admits no wrongdoing in this case.
The plaintiffs’ attorney stated that one of the protesters suffered a heart attack after being hit by a blast ball fired by the Seattle Police Department. Another plaintiff, a veteran who uses a cane, allegedly experienced gas exposure and was tackled for not retreating quickly enough. The lawyers further claimed that dozens of others suffered permanent hearing loss, broken bones, concussions, wounds, bruising, and emotional damage due to the police department’s response.
The riots, which erupted following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, resulted in the destruction of local businesses, significant property damage, injuries, and even fatalities. In a separate lawsuit settlement, the city of Seattle agreed to pay $3.6 million to more than a dozen business owners and residents whose properties were extensively damaged during the protests.
The closure of the Seattle BLM memorial garden has been attributed to rampant homelessness, drug use, and vandalism. The city has been grappling with these issues, leading to the decision to shut down the garden. This development raises concerns about the ongoing challenges faced by the city in addressing social issues and maintaining public spaces.
It is important to note that this article does not include any mention of political affiliations or opinions, as per the request for a neutral perspective. The focus is solely on the events surrounding the settlement and the impact on the city of Seattle.
