Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

eridani

(51,907 posts)
Thu Jun 12, 2014, 02:32 AM Jun 2014

New York City Agrees to Largest Occupy Wall Street Settlement Ever

http://www.nationofchange.org/new-york-city-agrees-largest-occupy-wall-street-settlement-ever-1402499824

During Occupy Wall Street’s heyday in 2011 and 2012, the NYPD made them pay, again and again and again, for exercising their right to assembly and free speech. Nearly three years later, New York City taxpayers are still paying for the NYPD's approach to policing lawful protest. Today, lawyers announced the largest settlement with New York City yet, with the city paying out $583,024 to 14 protesters who were arrested for disorderly conduct on January 1, 2012.

Sources familiar with today’s settlement said that that the case was ready to go to trial before Judge Shira Scheindlin until a few months ago, when, while being deposed for the trial, a senior NYPD official who was present during the arrests was unable to point out in videos of the event a single moment when any of the defendants committed any act of disorderly conduct.

According to the protesters' complaint, the demonstrators were part of a march passing through the East Village that night when police ordered them to disperse.

“This was a constitutionally unlawful order,” said Wylie Stecklow, a lawyer for the protesters, at a press conference at City Hall today. “The march was not yet blocking the sidewalk, and just minutes before this unlawful dispersal order, the police had ordered the marchers to keep walking.”
7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

lob1

(3,820 posts)
1. It should be for 50 million more for trampling on the protestors constitutional rights
Thu Jun 12, 2014, 03:12 AM
Jun 2014

and enjoying themselves while they did it.

markpkessinger

(8,381 posts)
3. Although it may be the largest settlement with Occupy protesters . . .
Thu Jun 12, 2014, 06:08 AM
Jun 2014

. . . it is hardly the largest settlement the4 city has paid for NYPD thuggery. In January, the City agreed to pai $18 million for the NYPD's improper arrrests during the 2004 GOP Convention (see http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/15/new-york-agrees-settlement-2004-republican-convention ). And unfortunately, $583,024 -- or even $18 million -- barely even qualifies as a rounding error in a city with a $70 billion annual budget. Neither suim is enough to create the kind of public pressure needed to rein in the NYPD. These sums will be seen by the NYPD as a mere "cost of doing business," and nothing more. The settlements will do absolutely nothing to change the NYPD's behavior.

johnnyreb

(915 posts)
5. A sound investment in status quo.
Thu Jun 12, 2014, 01:29 PM
Jun 2014

With billions in pocket change flying around, what's a few constitutional claims.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
7. That makes me wonder, could the American People file a class action suit against the
Thu Jun 12, 2014, 04:00 PM
Jun 2014

NSA for some of the billions they have received from the taxpayers while violating their Constitutional Rights?

At least such a suit would bring attention to the crimes. Hard to lie in a court the way you apparently can to Congress, without consequences?

Good that they won that case.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Occupy Underground»New York City Agrees to L...