Kanishka Sharma

(Reuters] – Denver has announced it will appeal a verdict of a federal jury from March, which awarded $14 Million to a dozen activists. They claimed that excessive force was used against peaceful protesters at peaceful demonstrations after the 2020 deaths of George Floyd and George Floyd.

“There hasn’t been a final judgment entered, but Denver City Attorney’s Office has decided to pursue post-trial relief, including an appeal,” the Denver City Attorney’s Office said in an emailed statement on Thursday.

Floyd was killed after a Minneapolis officer placed his head on Floyd’s neck for approximately nine minutes. It sparked months-long anti-racism demonstrations across America in 2020.

Axios reported that Denver Mayor Michael Hancock (a Democrat) said that while we weren’t perfect at handling the protests and in administration, he believes that there are reasons for us to look back on that decision.

Denver settled several civil claims stemming out of the response by the police to Floyd protests. However, the suit brought forth by the activists was the first to be tried in the United States, according to American Civil Liberties Union.

A federal judge issued a temporary injunction prohibiting Denver police from using plastic bullets and tear gas to stop them from responding to violent acts.

Denver activists brought the lawsuit. It acknowledged some lawless protestors, but said that most were peaceful. The suit also accused police of using heavy-handed riot control tactics without issuing clear warnings or orders to disperse.