A protester stands before riot police in May, 2015, on the night of the Michael Brelo portests. Credit: Sam Allard / Scene
The city of Cleveland has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit filed by six men and women who were arrested during the 2015 protests that broke out following police officer Michael Brelo’s acquittal. According to attorneys involved in the case, the city will pay the plaintiffs $50,000.

The lawsuit contended that Cleveland police officers infringed on a lawful and protected protest with no mention of cause nor hint at allegations of unlawfulness. Scene reported on the ground that night and in subsequent days as protesters were released from jail.

With today’s settlement, the city is relieved of any liability suggested in the lawsuit.

“These protesters filed a lawsuit to stand up for the entire community’s right to freedom of speech,” attorney Jacqueline Greene said in a public statement today. “And this settlement represents a recognition that the Cleveland Police cannot be permitted to throw the people of this city in jail in retaliation for exercising their fundamental rights.”

This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2017.

Eric Sandy is an award-winning Cleveland-based journalist. For a while, he was the managing editor of Scene. He now contributes jam band features every now and then.

One reply on “City of Cleveland Will Pay $50,000 to Six People Arrested During Michael Brelo Protests”

  1. Instead of having professionals at the front end….checks need to be cut at the back end.

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