The city of Minneapolis unanimously approved a $27 million settlement with the family of George Floyd, the Black man whose death sparked a wave of protests across the globe.
The Minneapolis City Council voted to approve the settlement on Friday, which stems from a federal civil rights suit filed in July against the city and four former police officers over Floyd’s arrest.
“I do want to on behalf of the entire City Council, offer my deepest condolences to the family of George Floyd, his friends, and all in our community who are mourning his loss,” said Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender.
“No amount of money can ever address the intense pain or trauma caused by this death to George Floyd’s family or to the people of our city.”
According to a statement from lead attorney Ben Crump, the settlement includes $500,000 aimed to enhance the 38th Street and Chicago Avenue business district where Floyd died.
“George Floyd’s horrific death, witnessed by millions of people around the world, unleashed a deep longing and undeniable demand for justice and change,” Crump said.
Floyd’s family filed the federal civil rights lawsuit against the city, Derek Chauvin, and three other fired officers charged in his death in July.
The lawsuit alleged that the officers who arrested Floyd violated his rights and that the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism, and impunity to flourish in its police force.
“On behalf of all of my family members, I am pleased that this part of our tragic journey to justice for my brother George is resolved,” Floyd’s sister, Bridgett Floyd said in a prepared statement.
“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.”