NYPD achieves ‘milestone deal’ on Black Lives Matter riot responses in 2020.
New York City Police Department Reaches Landmark Agreement with ACLU to Reform Protest Response
New York City police officers must put an end to kettling protestors and other “excessive use of force” practices, according to a landmark settlement reached with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The settlement comes after the ACLU’s New York chapter, the Legal Aid Society, and the state Attorney General Letitia James sued Mayor Bill de Blasio, Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, Chief of Department Terence Monahan, the City of New York, and several individual police officers for their response to the Black Lives Matter riots in 2020.
“This landmark settlement holds the NYPD, the nation’s largest and most influential police force, to its oath to protect New Yorkers’ right to protest,” said Molly Biklen, Deputy Legal Director of the New York Civil Liberties Union. “Today’s settlement ensures the NYPD can no longer indiscriminately deploy the notorious Strategic Response Group to protest and no longer escalate force on a whim.”
In the wake of George Floyd’s death in May 2020, New York City experienced widespread chaos as Black Lives Matter protesters and rioters took to the streets, causing damage to private property and businesses. In response, NYPD officers allegedly used pepper spray, batons, and bicycles to confront demonstrators, leading to widespread criticism.
Under the terms of the settlement, the NYPD must now adhere to a new four-tiered system that determines how authorities can respond to protests. The agreement also requires the department to amend its internal discipline matrix, improve treatment of the press, and refrain from using the aviation unit to intimidate or disrupt lawful protests. Additionally, the controversial crowd-control tactic known as “kettling” is prohibited, except in cases where specific individuals are targeted for arrest.
As part of the reforms, the NYPD will establish a new oversight review committee, which is estimated to cost city taxpayers over $1.45 million.
“This agreement represents the department’s commitment to continually improving to ensure the public remains safe and individual rights are protected,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban.
While the settlement has been hailed as a step towards accountability, there are concerns about its impact on the safety of police officers and the potential for future violence. Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry expressed these concerns, emphasizing the need for accountability for those who assaulted officers during the protests.
In a separate case, New York City agreed to pay $13.7 million to over 1,000 protesters who participated in the George Floyd protests in 2020. The settlement resolves a class-action lawsuit that alleged violations of protesters’ civil rights.
Protesters eligible for compensation may receive up to $9,950, with the payout primarily intended for those whose First Amendment rights were infringed by the police. However, individuals arrested for violent offenses or impeding police actions may not be eligible for compensation.
The settlement still requires approval from a judge and, if approved, would be one of the largest payouts ever for mass arrests.
The lawsuit addressed clashes between protesters and police during 18 protests that occurred in the week following George Floyd’s death. These protests sparked widespread civil unrest, resulting in additional deaths and significant property damage across the country.
Mairead Elordi contributed to this report.
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