Settlement Reached in Police Violence Case Involving Protesters

A settlement has been reached in the case of Attica Scott, et. al. v. Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, et. al., after five years of litigation. The ACLU of Kentucky, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), and the law firm Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP (ECBAWM) represented plaintiffs who alleged excessive force by the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) during protests in 2020, violating their First and Fourth Amendment rights. A PDF of the settlement statement is available here.

Background of the Protests

The demonstrations occurred during the summer of 2020, following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Protesters advocated for an end to racist and violent policing. In response, the LMPD used tear gas, flash bangs, pepperballs, and other military-grade weapons against large crowds, resulting in injuries to peaceful protesters.

Policy Changes in Louisville

As a result of the lawsuit and advocacy from community members, Louisville has implemented policy changes. These include prohibiting the use of chemical and direct impact weapons to manage peaceful protests and establishing a Civilian Review and Accountability Board. While these changes are considered a step forward, advocates remain committed to further reforms to protect the First Amendment rights of protesters and address the concerns raised during the 2020 demonstrations.

Plaintiff Statements

Plaintiffs in the case expressed their perspectives on the events and the settlement. Attica Scott emphasized the ongoing fight for a vision of public safety that promotes equal justice and protects people of color from police violence. Kayla Meisner reflected on the impact of witnessing the city in a state of unrest and expressed hope for safer future protests. Patrick Moore, who sustained an eye injury from a pepperball, called for Metro Government and LMPD to recognize the humanity of protesters and address concerns about accountability, transparency, and police violence. Stevana Schauer highlighted the importance of continuing the fight for justice, and Corbin Smith acknowledged the unwavering support of LDF and ACLU. Willa Tinsley described the experience as deepening her conviction of the importance of fighting state violence, and Tyler Weakley expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to positive change in Louisville.

Statements from Organizations and Legal Teams

The Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression thanked those who fought alongside them and acknowledged the lasting harm caused by the LMPD’s actions during the protests. Corey Shapiro, legal director for the ACLU of Kentucky, stated the organization is pleased with the outcome and looks forward to continued policy changes with LMPD. Sam Shapiro of ECBAWM expressed pride in defending the constitutional rights of the plaintiffs. Catherine Logue, Assistant Counsel for LDF, emphasized the importance of protecting the right to protest free from police violence and highlighted the costs of suppressing peaceful demonstrations.

About the Legal Defense Fund and ACLU of Kentucky

Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation’s first civil rights law organization. It is separate from the NAACP. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Kentucky works to defend individual rights and personal freedoms through legal action, legislative advocacy, and community engagement. More information is available at www.aclu-ky.org.