The city of Seattle will pay Black Lives Matter rioters $10 million in a settlement stemming from a lawsuit related to the 2020 George Floyd riots.
“This decision was the best financial decision for the city considering the risk, cost and insurance,” city attorney Davison said, according to Fox News. “This case has been a significant drain on the city’s time and resources, and would have continued to do so during an estimated three-month trial that was scheduled to begin in May.”
“This settlement resolves the majority of remaining claims arising from the 2020 exhibition period and is a major step toward allowing the city to focus on the important work of today, while moving forward from the events of four years ago,” Davison added.
Quoted from Fox News:
The city of Seattle has agreed to pay $10 million to 50 Black Lives Matter protesters who sued the police department alleging they used excessive force during riots in 2020, in a settlement announced by lawyers for both sides on Wednesday.
According to the city, the complaint included hundreds of interactions between protesters and local law enforcement officials, more than a million pages of records, more than 10,000 videos, hundreds of witness interviews, and extensive court filings. However, the city has not admitted any wrongdoing in the case.
The Seattle Times reported that the plaintiffs' attorney stated that one protester had a heart attack after being hit by an explosive ball fired by the Seattle Police Department, while another plaintiff, a veteran who used a baton, was allegedly “gassed and tackled.” Because he didn't back down fast enough.”
The attorneys also claimed that “dozens of others suffered permanent hearing loss, broken bones, concussions, cuts, bruises, and emotional damage” as a result of the police department's response.
Cities across the country have paid violent and devastating multi-million dollar settlements to Black Lives Matter militants.
In September, the Denver City Council unanimously approved a $4.7 million settlement for more than 300 Black Lives Matter protesters who were arrested by the Denver Police Department during the George Floyd protests in the summer of 2020.
Last July, New York City officials agreed to pay $13 million to violent protesters and rioters as part of the “Summer of Love 2020” campaign.
More than 1,300 protesters were eligible for nearly $9,950 for police actions during violence, looting, arson and property destruction during the 2020 riots following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.
Philadelphia agreed last March to pay BLM rioters a total of $9.25 million for more than 200 people who participated in the George Floyd riots.