The city of Minneapolis has agreed to pay George Floyd’s family a record $27 million to settle a lawsuit brought on by his family.
The city council voted unanimously to approve the settlement.
According to the family’s attorney, it is the largest pre-trial civil rights wrongful death settlement in U.S. history.
Floyd died while in police custody on May 25. Video of his death went viral and sparked outrage around the world.
Many called to abolish the Minneapolis Police Department, a move that is supported by the majority of City Council members.
Floyd’s family filed the federal lawsuit against the city and the four police officers involved in his death on July 15. The lawsuit stated that the officers violated Floyd’s rights.
“The City of Minneapolis has a history of policies, procedures and deliberate indifference that violates the rights of arrestees, particularly Black men, and highlights the need for officer training and discipline,” Ben Crump, one of the attorneys representing Floyd’s family said.
This case is separate from the criminal trial against Derek Chauvin.
In a statement, Bridgett Floyd, George Floyd’s sister, said her family will continue to do the work to make sure the world is a safer place for all.
This part of our tragic journey to justice for my brother George is resolved … Our family suffered an irreplaceable loss May 25 when George’s life was senselessly taken by a Minneapolis police officer. While we will never get our beloved George back, we will continue to work tirelessly to make this world a better, and safer, place for all.
A part of the settlement, $500,000, will go directly towards the neighborhood where George Floyd was killed.
The city council president acknowledged that no amount of money will ever replace George Floyd nor will it undo the pain it caused, but offered condolences to all those mourning the loss of a life cut short.
We’ve all seen the horrific video. There was no reason George Floyd should have been restrained like that. He should not have been killed that day.
No amount of money will bring him back or heal all of the pain that has been endured, but hopefully this sends a message.
