Austin approves $1.75 million settlement in lawsuit over police conduct throughout 2020 protests
Photograph by Michael Minasi/KUT
Metropolis Council has authorised an almost $2 million settlement in a lawsuit associated to police use of power throughout racial justice protests in 2020.
In his criticism, José “Joe” Herrera mentioned Austin police shot him within the leg with a “less-lethal” spherical, inflicting lasting nerve harm and triggering PTSD associated to his army service in Iraq. He claimed the incident precipitated “everlasting disfigurement.”
The veteran is one in every of greater than a dozen protesters who’ve sued the town over APD’s conduct throughout protests following the killings of George Floyd and Mike Ramos.
Town has now paid out $16.75 million in settlements associated to police conduct, together with the $1.75 million settlement for Herrera that Council authorised Thursday.
The lawsuits have argued APD’s use of power was pointless and that the less-lethal ammunition, which incorporates shotgun shells crammed with lead-pellet luggage and 40mm foam bullets, is harmful.
Nineteen officers have been indicted on felony assault costs for utilizing the ammunition, which APD has mentioned it’s going to now not make use of to regulate crowds.
5 extra instances have been filed in federal court docket.
Photograph caption: Demonstrators protesting police violence run away from I-35 after Austin cops fired tear fuel on Could 31, 2020.
This story was produced as a part of the Austin Monitor’s reporting partnership with KUT.
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