NYPD expected to be led by female commissioner for first time
NBCSep 20, 2021
The Facts
New York City is preparing to pay $13.7M to nearly 1.4K protesters who claim they "were arrested and/or subjected to force by NYPD officers" and had their First Amendment rights violated from late May to early June 2020. If approved by a judge, each of the 1,380 plaintiffs would receive $9,950.
The protests, which were held in response to the killing of George Floyd by police in Minnesota, were a mix of peaceful demonstrations and violence committed by protesters and police.
The Spin
Left narrative
This is a great victory for those who were illegally attacked and stifled by the NYPD. But a real triumph won’t be accomplished until law enforcement stops looking at settlements like this as the cost of doing business and instead uses a desire to avoid settlements as motivation to reform its procedures and processes when it comes to patrolling protests.
Right narrative
What a sad state of affairs when a city is forced to pay a settlement over police doing their job. These protests and riots resulted in tens of deaths and millions in property damage nationwide, and law enforcement was just protecting their jurisdictions and themselves. Of course, this settlement has inspired copycat suits across the country, which will weaken the ability to keep the nation safe.
