Minneapolis to Pay Record $ 27 Million in George Floyd Wrongful Death Settlement | Minnesota
(The Center Square) – Minneapolis City Council has voted unanimously to settle George Floyd’s wrongful death trial for a record $ 27 million.
The settlement was announced on Friday.
In a viral video from May 2020, former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, sparking protests of police brutality around the world. Floyd died later that night. At the end of the week, the three police officers involved were fired.
Floyd was arrested for allegedly attempting to spend a fake $ 20 bill.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, City Council President Lisa Bender and City Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins joined Floyd’s family in a 1 p.m. press conference.
“The horrific death of George Floyd, witnessed by millions of people around the world, sparked a deep and undeniable desire for justice and change,” family lawyer Ben Crump said in a statement. “That the greatest pre-trial settlement in a wrongful death case would be for the life of a black man sends a powerful message that black lives matter and that police brutality against people of color must end. “
Of the $ 27 million, $ 500,000 will be used “for the benefit of the community around the 38th and Chicago” where Floyd died.
“Today’s settlement reflects our shared commitment to advancing racial justice, our sustained effort for progress, our commitment to Minneapolis, and our commitment and compassion to one another,” Frey said. “We have to be relentless. We must be without excuse in our quest for a more equitable local government and a more just approach to community safety in our city. “
Floyd’s nephew Brandon Williams has said he hopes the settlement will lead to police reform.
“Today is a huge step in the healing process. When I say healing, it’s not just the pain our family is feeling. Hopefully the way policing is practiced heals.”
Williams said Floyd would still be alive if only the officer defused the situation.
Bender offered his condolences to Floyd’s family.
“We know that no amount of money will ever be able to cope with the intense pain and trauma caused by his death. Minneapolis has been fundamentally changed by this period of racial recognition, ”said Bender. “Minneapolis City Council is united to work with our community with the family of George Floyd to create a more equitable future for our city. ”
The civil trial is distinct from the criminal trial, where Chauvin is accused of second degree murder, third degree murder and manslaughter.
Minneapolis Police’s second-largest settlement payment dates from 2019, when Minneapolis settled $ 20 million after a city police officer gunned down Justine Ruszczyk Damond after calling for report a possible assault in an alley.
From 2018-2020, Minneapolis paid $ 24.3 million in police establishments.
The most costly settlements were for police misconduct, 30 of which cost taxpayers 96% of the total cost, or $ 23.4 million.
This latest regulation continues a national discussion of policing techniques and the growing cost to taxpayers of million dollar policing settlements.
