Minneapolis Must Pay Victims Of Alleged Police Brutality During George Floyd Protest

The city of Minneapolis will pay more than $700,000 to resolve complaints from victims who allege police used excessive force during protests that occurred in the days following the death of George Floyd.

According to the Associated Press, the city council unanimously voted to pay settlements that issue $50,000 rewards to victims. Victims alleged in a 60-page class action lawsuit that officers used tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets against peaceful protestors.

According to the lawsuit, the Minneapolis police force used "blatant displays of excessive force, captured on video, MPD officers can be seen spraying tear gas and pepper spray indiscriminately out of their squad car windows while driving through peaceful protests."

Many plaintiffs also said that after an oil tanker drove toward them at high speed while protesting on Interstate 35W on May 21, 2020, responding officers did not seek to find out if they were injured.

The city council also agreed to an injunction that would prevent the police department from using rubber bullets, mace, and tear gas as a method for crowd control during protests.