Katie G. Nelson and 6 other journalists receive substantial settlement but no admission of wrongdoing by police for their actions during George Floyd protests

Location: United States, Minneapolis
Date: February 8, 2024

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom welcomes the settlement between the Minneapolis City Council and seven journalists attacked by police during protests following George Floyd’s killing in 2020. The agreement, totaling $950,000, marks a significant milestone in acknowledging the injustices faced by these journalists at the hands of law enforcement. However, it's important to highlight that the council did not officially acknowledge any wrongdoing by its officers or commit to implementing changes within its police department. This lack of accountability raises concerns, especially considering the city's troubling history of employing excessive force. Despite this, there is reason for optimism. With ongoing reform initiatives and impending consent decrees with state and federal authorities, there is potential for addressing the systemic issues deeply rooted within the Minneapolis Police Department. While this settlement represents progress, it is just one step in the right direction. Continuous vigilance and advocacy are essential to ensure that journalists can carry out their work safely and without fear of intimidation or violence.

On February 8, 2024, the Minneapolis City Council approved a settlement of nearly $1 million for seven journalists, including Katie G. Nelson, who were plaintiffs in a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota. The lawsuit alleged that Minneapolis police intentionally targeted journalists during 2020 protests, disregarding their press credentials and resorting to violence against them.

The killing of George Floyd in May 2020 by a Minneapolis police officer ignited widespread protests, which led to instances of arson and looting in the Twin Cities area. Journalists covering these protests found themselves targeted by law enforcement, facing tear gas, rubber bullets, arrests, and serious injuries. 

Journalist Katie G. Nelson, reporting from the fifth precinct of Minneapolis, described how police instructed journalists to disperse before advancing on them. Despite identifying themselves as journalists, they were cornered in a street and subjected to flash grenades, tear gas, and pepper spray. While covering demonstrations, police fired bullets at Nelson's car, and her colleague was pushed against a wall in a separate incident. 

Teresa Nelson, legal director for the ACLU of Minnesota, described the settlement as a victory for journalists and a strong message to police departments that press freedom must be respected. "If it's not clear to police yet, let's say it again: Law enforcement cannot target, arrest, and attack journalists who are just doing their jobs, holding government accountable," said Nelson in a statement.

Despite the settlement, Minneapolis did not acknowledge any wrongdoing by its officers during the unrest, nor did it commit to implementing changes within its police department. Nevertheless, the settlement represents a significant cost to the city and underscores the importance of respecting press freedom and denouncing police violence. The funds will be divided among the journalists who were plaintiffs and the Communications Workers of America, which represents journalists nationwide.

Previously, the journalists settled with the state Department of Public Safety and Minnesota State Patrol for $825,000, along with policy changes to prevent future assaults on press. In April 2023, the journalists settled with former Minneapolis Police Department union head Lt. Bob Kroll, who agreed not to serve in certain counties or with the Minnesota Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training for a decade. Litigation against former Sheriff Dave Hutchinson and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the only remaining agency under lawsuit, is ongoing.

In a similar case of police misconduct against journalists, in November 2023 reporter Josie Huang received a $700,000 settlement from Los Angeles County for her wrongful arrest during a 2020 protest. The settlement included mandatory press training for authorities. While no admission of wrongdoing was made in this settlement either, the agreement established a precedent for safeguarding journalists' rights and preventing future incidents.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom welcomes the settlement and applauds the journalists and ACLU for pursuing legal action for the utterly unacceptable aggression of the police toward the press. We urge Minneapolis and all police departments to respect journalists' rights and uphold the principles of press freedom enshrined in the First Amendment. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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