Explanation
Background:
This Ordinance is submitted to settle the lawsuit known as Ellen Hana Abdur-Rahim, et al., v. City of Columbus, et al., pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Case No. 2:22-cv-2286, in the amount of eight hundred thousand dollars and zero cents ($800,000.00). In late May of 2020, protests and civil unrest erupted across the country, including in Columbus, Ohio, in response to the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protests began in Columbus on May 28, 2020, and lasted throughout the summer of 2020 (the “George Floyd Protests”). This lawsuit arises out of incidents that occurred between May 28, 2020 and July 31, 2020. Plaintiffs Ellen Hana Abdur-Rahim, Elizabeth Andromeda, Duck Bardus, Ryan McMullen, Morgen Morrissette, and Lena Tenney (collectively “Plaintiffs”) brought claims against Defendants the City of Columbus, Thomas Quinlan, and Matthew Hauser alleging (among other things) claims for excessive force in violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments and claims for violation of their First Amendment rights under the United States Constitution. Plaintiffs are protestors, legal observers, and street medics who allege that they sustained severe physical and psychological damages as a result of injuries incurred by the Columbus Division of Police’s alleged use of multiple baton rounds, flash bangs, chemical gas, mace, pepper spray, and physical assaults during the George Floyd Protests. Plaintiffs’ factual allegations and causes of action are fully described in their Complaint filed on May 27, 2022.
Fiscal Impact:
Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available within the Department of Finance’s Citywide Account for this purpose.
Emergency action is requested for this ordinance to be effective immediately in accordance with the terms of the settlement of this lawsuit, which is in the best interest of th...
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