Seattle Settles Black Lives Matter Lawsuit for $10 Million
The city of Seattle has reached a settlement with Black Lives Matter protesters, agreeing to pay $10 million to resolve a lawsuit over excessive force claims during the 2020 demonstrations. The settlement ends years of legal battles and negotiations between the city and the protesters, with each protester set to receive approximately $200,000.
A group of 50 BLM protesters filed the lawsuit, alleging that the Seattle Police Department used excessive force during the demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in 2020. Floyd’s death sparked nationwide protests and race riots, leading to widespread civil unrest in Seattle.
The settlement announcement has reignited debates over the city’s handling of the protests and the impact on law enforcement and local businesses. Critics argue that such payouts only embolden future acts of violence and rioting, rewarding individuals for destructive and illegal behavior.
In a Twitter statement, the Seattle Times reported, “The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $10 million to settle a lawsuit from a group of demonstrators injured by police during the 2020 uprising in protest of George Floyd’s murder.”
A statement from the City Attorney in Seattle seems to indicate that the $10 million settlement was simply a means to resolve the matter and move forward. “This decision was the best financial decision for the City considering risk, cost, and insurance,” he said. “The case has been a significant drain on the time and resources of the City and would have continued to be so through an estimated three-month trial that was scheduled to begin in May.”
The settlements sparked discussions about who ultimately pays for the damage caused during these riots, both in terms of physical property and the loss of life. Reports indicate that the riots, infamously known as the “Summer of Love,” resulted in millions of dollars in damages to businesses, public buildings, and infrastructure. Dozens of businesses were looted, vandalized, and set on fire, causing widespread destruction and financial losses for local business owners. In a series of tweets, journalist Andy Ngo chronicled the extensive damages inflicted during the riots, including the repeated vandalism and looting of Starbucks and Amazon stores.
The Seattle Police Department reported that over 100 officers were injured during the protests, with the total cost of property damage and other expenses related to the riots estimated at around $200 million. As part of the settlement, business owners received $3,650,000 for damages caused by the Black Lives Matter protests.
Additional incidents surrounding the protests included the deaths of two individuals, a 19-year-old man who was shot and killed in the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) zone, and a 32-year-old woman who was hit by a car while protesting on a closed section of Interstate 5. Reports also indicated multiple other shootings that took place in the abandoned seven-block area during the “Summer of Love.”
The settlement has evoked divergent reactions from various sectors. Supporters argue that the settlement is part of holding law enforcement accountable for their actions, while others express concerns that such settlements only incentivize future acts of violence and destruction.
The lawsuit’s resolution has also reignited discussions around systemic racism, police brutality, and social justice, with opinions varying widely on the complex and multifaceted issues at play. The settlement underscores the ongoing debate over the proper response to civil unrest, police accountability, and the repercussions for communities in the aftermath of such events.