In the four years since George Floyd's killing sparked mass protests, U.S. cities have settled over 130 lawsuits related to police misconduct, paying out nearly $150 million to protesters, journalists, families, legal observers and bystanders, according to a report published earlier this week.
The settlements, some of the largest ever for protest-related police actions, have forced numerous reforms on departments, including restrictions on the use of "less lethal" weapons, reported the Guardian.
"After reviewing so many lawsuits, a consistent story emerges: Cops had zero interest in honoring the First Amendment rights of protesters," said Sue Udry, executive director of the free speech group Defending Rights & Dissent and author of the report: "The Cost of Pollice Violence and Mayhem."
"The most successful lawsuits won restitution for indiviudals, and significant new restriction on police," said Udry. "But they are piecemeal, and there is no substitue for systemic change."
Floyd's killing on May 25, 2020, captured in a highly disturbing viral video, prompted millions to protest across the country, resulting in some 17,000 arrests in the first two weeks following the killing alone.
The report tracks the outcomes of lawsuits filed in response to police actions in 40 cities and 25 states. It does not include many pending cases, however.
Excessive force was a frequent complaint in suits against police departments, along with demands for less-lethal response strategies.
In addition to winning compensation for victims, many of the settlements were also a catalyst for reforms.
A new wave of protests, this time over Israel's U.S.-backed war in Gaza, has once again been met with police crackdowns, leading advocates to fear that the police are resorting to their old tactics.
In recent weeks, police across the country have arrested over 3,000 people protesting against was, including university students who set up solidarity encampments on campuses.
Police in riot gear have used tear gas and rubber bullets.
In New York's Bay Ridge neighborhood this month, police were videotaped repeatedly punching protesters that generally appeared peaceful. New York City Mayor Eric Adams vowed that the pollice action would be reviewed.
"Police presence at protests needs to be minimized," stated Udry.
"Their role should only be protecting the right to protest and controlling traffic, not arresting people because they're in the street."
