City of Seattle Settles Black Lives Matter Protest Suits for $10 Million

The City of Seattle paid $10 million to settle a long-running, high-profile lawsuit brought by roughly 50 demonstrators who suffered injuries during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests and the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) demonstrations.

The historic agreement brought an end to a nearly four-year legal battle over the Seattle Police Department’s (SPD) crowd-control tactics during the demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd.

The plaintiffs alleged that SPD officers used excessive force and indiscriminately deployed crowd-control weapons, including tear gas and pepper spray, against peaceful protesters, volunteer medics, and journalists.

The lawsuit detailed a harrowing list of severe, life-altering injuries sustained by demonstrators, including:

• Cardiac arrest
• Seizures and comas
• Broken bones and concussions
• Severe lacerations and permanent hearing loss
• A partially blown-off finger

Independent law enforcement experts hired during the litigation noted that the level of aggression SPD used against crowd members was virtually unprecedented for a democratic city response.

Before reaching the agreement, the city spent an estimated $30 million on outside legal fees defending against the claims, demonstrating how municipalities resist accountability by trying to out-spend every day people. If you were a victim of unreasonable force or civil rights violations, we can help. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn about your legal options.

Melanie handled this matter with her former colleagues at Stritmatter Law.

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