The City of Kent has been ordered to pay $130,000 to 11 people arrested May 4, 2003 during a protest against the Iraq War, based on a federal court's decision that the city violated protesters' rights, according to a statement from an attorney representing the protesters.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit alleged the city and the Kent Police Department targeted leaders of the antiwar demonstration without regard to whether they violated any laws.
Kent city officials confirmed a court-ordered settlement, but not the amount of $130,000 and declined further comment. Arizona-based Scottsdale Insurance Company represented the city in the case, but an agent with the firm would not release details of the settlement. It is unclear if the city will appeal the ruling.
Attorney William Whitaker of Akron, who represented the protesters along with attorneys Nancy Grim and Andrea Whitaker, released a statement Tuesday confirming the settlement amount. The United States District Court has entered an offer of judgment against the city"because the arrests were made without probable cause," according to the statement.
Read more in Wednesday's Record-Courier.