Four protesters in Seattle who were jailed for writing anti-police graffiti in chalk on a temporary barricade near a police precinct have been awarded almost $700,000 after a federal court jury determined their civil rights were violated. The arrests of the four individuals occurred on January 1, 2021, following the widespread Black Lives Matter protests that swept through Seattle and other cities worldwide in response to the death of George Floyd.
The protesters, Derek Tucson, Robin Snyder, Monsieree De Castro, and Erik Moya-Delgado, were each granted $20,000 in compensatory damages and $150,000 in punitive damages by the jury. The lawsuit was filed against the city of Seattle and four police officers, with the jury concluding that the arrests were retaliatory and violated the plaintiffs' First Amendment rights.
Testimony during the trial revealed that the police officers' actions were motivated by animus towards Black Lives Matter protesters. The protesters had used chalk to write messages like 'Peaceful Protest' and 'Free Them All' on a barricade near the police precinct, leading to their arrest under anti-graffiti laws. Despite spending a night in jail, the four were never prosecuted.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs highlighted that the officers' actions were part of a broader practice known as the 'protester exception', where individuals expressing certain messages were targeted for arrest. The jury's decision serves as a warning to law enforcement officials and government leaders nationwide about respecting citizens' First Amendment rights.
This case underscores the importance of upholding free speech rights and preventing content-based law enforcement decisions that infringe on individuals' liberties. The verdict sends a clear message that individuals cannot be jailed for the content of their speech, emphasizing the need for accountability and adherence to constitutional protections.
