(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) A measure from Minneapolis, Minnesota, to pay 12 protestors a combined $600,000 for injuries sustained during the Black Lives Matter riots of 2020 was approved by a federal court on Wednesday.
The Minnesotan branch of American Civil Liberties Union sued the city on behalf of the protestors, according to the Daily Caller.
The suit also bars the city from, arresting, using physical force and using chemical agents against people legally demonstrating and mandates body camera recordings for Minneapolis police officers deployed to protests.
“Tear gas, foam bullets and pepper spray became weapons for intimidating and hurting protesters, making it dangerous for people to exercise their First Amendment rights,” ACLU-MN Legal Director Teresa Nelson said.
“We hope this settlement sends a message to law enforcement across Minnesota that this violation of our constitutional rights will not be tolerated.”
The payout will be evenly split among the 12 protestors. The protesters allege that being tear gassed resulted in lingering respiratory problems and being shot with rubber and foam bullets left them with bruises.
“The City Council approved a $600,000 settlement on Oct. 20, and Mayor Frey signed the Council action Oct. 26,” read a statement from City Attorney Kristyn Anderson.
“The City Attorney’s Office executed and filed documents necessary to effectuate the settlement, and an order reflecting portions of that settlement were made public today.”
The ACLU celebrated their victory on Twitter.
“The settlement with Minneapolis over MPD’s mistreatment of #GeorgeFloyd protestors includes $600K for plaintiffs plus reforms,” they tweeted. “Police are barred from arresting or using physical force against people engaged in lawful protests.”
We the people have a constitutional right to protest.
When police try to infringe on that right, we fight back — and we win. https://t.co/JljslLDEGM
— ACLU (@ACLU) November 30, 2022
Twitter users had a lot to say in response to this.
Kewl story, now go help the J6 protesters!
— Michael Ward (@flatscan) December 2, 2022
What a joke! Maybe they can use that 600k as a down payment on some of the damage they caused. What about the fire bombed small businesses, where's their $$$??? ACLU supports criminals, not their victims.
— Purvis Corgyle (@PCorgyle) December 2, 2022
Yeah!!! pic.twitter.com/q2AayMZurM
— John S (@JohnS78406692) November 30, 2022
What the ACLU did not address is the hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage locals suffered in the wake of the protests and the lives lost at the hands of rioters.
