George Floyd protests NYPD excessive force $13.7M class action settlement

The city of New York agreed to a $13.7 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims that the New York Police Department (NYPD) used excessive force against participants in the George Floyd protests in 2020.

The settlement benefits individuals arrested and/or subjected to force by NYPD officers during the New York City George Floyd protests during the summer of 2020. A full list of protest dates and locations can be found in the “Who’s Eligible” section below.

Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit claim the New York Police Department unlawfully arrested them and subjected them to excessive force during protests that followed the murder of George Floyd in 2020. According to the plaintiffs, the NYPD and the city violated their constitutional rights. 

Thousands of people took to the streets of New York City in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis. Several lawsuits were filed against the NYPD and the city of New York for their alleged mistreatment of protesters during and after the protests.

New York City hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay up to $13.731 million to resolve the protester class action lawsuit. 

Under the terms of the class action lawsuit settlement, class members will receive a cash payment of up to $9,950. Payments may be reduced on a pro rata basis depending on the number of valid claims filed with the settlement. Class members’ payments may be reduced on an individual basis if the class member owes child support, Medicaid liens or other liens held by the city of New York.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Jan. 22, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the New York George Floyd protests class action lawsuit settlement is scheduled for Feb. 22, 2024.

In order to receive a settlement payment, class members must submit a valid claim form by Jan. 22, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals arrested and/or subjected to force by NYPD officers during the New York City George Floyd protests during the summer of 2020.

Protest dates covered by the settlement are:

• May 28, 2020: Lafayette to City Hall
• May 28, 2020: Union Square
• May 29, 2020: Barclays Center area
• May 30, 2020: East Flatbush/the Barclays Center area
• May 30, 2020: Harlem/West Side Highway
• May 30, 2020: Union Square to FDR Drive
• May 30, 2020: City Hall to over the Brooklyn Bridge
• May 31, 2020: Union Square
• June 1, 2020: Barclays Center area
• June 1, 2020: Midtown Manhattan
• June 2, 2020: Foley Square to Central Park
• June 2, 2020: Union Square and Astor Place
• June 2, 2020: Near and on West Side Highway
• June 2, 2020: Chelsea
• June 3, 2020: Cadman Plaza
• June 3, 2020: Upper East Side
• June 4, 2020: McCarren Park
• June 4, 2020: Clinton Hill

Potential Award

$9,950

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable. However, some claimants may be required to provide their summons, DAT or other documentation.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

01/22/2024

Case Name

Sow, et al. v. City of New York, et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-00533-CM, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Final Hearing

02/22/2024

Settlement Website

NYC2020ProtestSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Sow v. City of New York
C/O Rust Consulting Inc. – 8364
PO Box 2599
Faribault, MN 55021-9599
admin@NYC2020ProtestSettlement.com
833-915-1147

Class Counsel

Elena L Cohen
Remy Green
Jessica Massimi
COHEN & GREEN PLLP

Gideon Orion Oliver
GIDEON LAW

Wylie Stecklow
WYLIE STECKLOW PLLP

Masai I Lord
LORD LAW GROUP

Jonathan C Moore
David B Rankin
Luna Droubi
Marc Arena
Deema Azizi
Katherine “Q” Adams
Regina Powers
Keegan Stephan
BELDOCK LEVINE & HOFFMAN LLP

Defense Counsel

Slyvia O Hines-Radix
Jenny Weng
Omar Siddiqi
Genevive Nelson
NEW YORK CITY LAW DEPARTMENT