Crime Pays: NYC Agrees To Shell Out Millions to BLM Protesters

Settlement payments are made as the left-leaning New York City Council pushes to defund NYPD Getty Images

New York City has agreed to pay hundreds of Black Lives Matter protesters at least $21,500 each in a proposed settlement—just as liberal city council members push to defund the New York Police Department amid a spike in robberies, assaults, and stolen cars.

If a judge approves of the city’s proposed settlement, a lawsuit alleging that 300 protesters were zip-tied and pepper sprayed by police during a June 2020 BLM demonstration could result in a $4-$6 million settlement. New York Times reported.

Protests erupted in response to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. After activists broke a city-wide curfew, officers responded to the protest. Protesters who were summoned to appear in court and answer to allegations will receive $2,500 additional.

The huge payout comes as left-leaning members of the City Council seek to cut funding from the NYPD. The City Council Progressive Caucus Promised To “do everything we can to reduce the size and scope of the NYPD.”

As January’s crime figures rise, the push comes. Spiked After a short dip in the latter part of 2022, crime has increased by 4.1 percent. According to the FBI, January saw an increase in crime of 4.1 percent. This was led by felony attacks, which saw a 14.9 per cent increase over 2022. New York Post.

The caucus which accounted for 80 percent of all the Democratic members on the council lost 15 members last week who refused to sign that pledge. One Democratic city council member spoke Anonymously to the New York Daily NewsSaying the goal is to “defund is widely unpopular in the city.”

“A lot of the members who left the Progressive Caucus agree with principles of reforming the NYPD, but aren’t willing to take the leap toward defunding the NYPD,” One member Submitted The Daily News.