Cincinnati to Pay $8.1M After Wrongful Mass Arrests of 2020 Protesters

A costly reckoning for Cincinnati after hundreds were detained without cause. The settlement exposes the fallout of mass arrests during a pivotal moment in history.

, and Administrator

2025 December 11 . 3:28 AM

1 min read

In front of the picture, we see a white car on which "Police" is written. Behind that, there are... — In front of the picture, we see a white car on which "Police" is written. Behind that, there are many cars moving on the road. On either side of the road, we see grass and trees. This picture is clicked outside the city.

Cincinnati to Pay $8.1M After Wrongful Mass Arrests of 2020 Protesters

Cincinnati has agreed to pay $8.1 million to settle a lawsuit brought by hundreds of non-violent protesters arrested during the 2020 racial justice demonstrations. The legal battle stemmed from mass arrests made in the wake of protests against the killing of George Floyd and other unarmed Black individuals. The settlement covers 479 plaintiffs who were detained while protesting in 2020. Each was initially charged with misdemeanour curfew violations, but all charges were later dropped. None of the individuals involved faced felony accusations, violent crime allegations, or involvement in property damage. The $8.1 million settlement marks the conclusion of a contentious chapter following the 2020 protests. All plaintiffs had their charges dismissed, and the funds will now be distributed among them. The case highlights the legal and financial consequences of mass arrests during public demonstrations.