Philadelphia agrees to $9.25 million in response to George Floyd demonstrations

The city of Philadelphia has reached a $9.25 million settlement with 343 protesters who were hit with tear gas and pepper spray during the 2020 George Floyd demonstrations, the city said in a statement. statement.

The protesters, who included residents of West Philadelphia, filed a class-action lawsuit alleging “physical and emotional trauma” was caused by the city’s response to demonstrations on May 31 and June 1, 2020 over the killing of George in Minneapolis, the city said.

$9.25 million will be distributed among 343 demonstrators and their lawyers, but the amount of damages will vary. In addition, the city will provide grants ranging from $500,000 to $600,000 to the Bread & Roses Community Fund, which provides free mental health counseling to West Philadelphia residents.

“Mental health counseling will be available to all residents within the 52nd Street Corridor radius of West Philadelphia, not just plaintiffs in a lawsuit,” the city said.

Lawyers described the actions of the Philadelphia Police Department as “militaristic use of force during peaceful protests,” according to CBS News Philadelphia.

Mayor Jim Kenny expressed hope that the settlement would lead to “reconciliation” between the police and minorities in Philadelphia.

“The pain and trauma caused by the legacy of systemic racism and police brutality against black and brown Philadelphians is immeasurable,” Kenny said in a statement. “While this is just one step towards reconciliation, we hope this settlement will bring some healing from the harm done to people in their neighborhoods in West Philadelphia and during the demonstrations on I-676 in 2020.”

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlow said the Philadelphia Police Department is committed to “moving forward.”

“The mass demonstrations that took place in Philadelphia and across the country in response to the killing of George Floyd were unprecedented in their scope,” Outlaw said in a statement. “The Philadelphia Police Department is a learning organization and we remain committed to moving forward in a meaningful and productive way.”

“Together with city, state and community stakeholders, we will continue to work nonstop to improve what we as police do to protect the rights of First Amendment protesters, keep our communities and officers safe, and ultimately prove that we are committed to more high standard,” she added.

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