The Minneapolis City Council on Friday unanimously approved a $27 million settlement in a civil lawsuit brought by George Floyd’s family.
The settlement, which was approved 13-0, is the largest police settlement in Minneapolis history. About $500,000 of the settlement will go to the community around the intersection where Floyd died.
The announcement came in the middle of jury selection for Derek Chauvin, the former police officer charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, as well as third-degree murder in Floyd’s death.
DEATH AND ‘AUTONOMOUS ZONE’ GRIP GEORGE FLOYD SQUARE AHEAD OF CHAUVIN TRIAL
On May 25, Floyd died after Chauvin pressed his knee against his neck for around nine minutes. His death sparked nationwide protests and led to a reckoning on race in the United States.
Floyd’s family filed a federal lawsuit in July against the city and the four officers involved in the arrest that led to his death. The lawsuit took issue with the neck restraints used on Floyd, as well as the police department’s policies and training.
Benjamin Crump and the other attorneys representing Floyd’s family members, as well as the mayor, are scheduled to hold a news conference Friday afternoon.
“The city needs to exhibit responsible leadership in the face of the horrific tragedy that really was a watershed moment for America,” Crump said ahead of the city council news.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Previously, the largest police settlement in Minneapolis history was $20 million, paid to the family of Justine Ruszcyk Damond, who was shot and killed by former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor in 2017. Noor was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison.
