Denver owes protesters $14M for George Floyd protest injuries

Driving the news: In its decision Tuesday, the Denver-based court rejected an appeal by Mayor Mike Johnston's administration and upheld a 2022 jury verdict that found the city did not adequately instruct its officers on how to handle the protests.

Police used tear gas, flash-bang explosives, rubber bullets and pepper balls to disperse protesters.

• The payout goes collectively to 12 protesters who sued the city in federal court for their injuries.
• The financial damages awarded only add to the millions the city already has paid to injured 2020 protesters in private settlements. Johnston declined to comment on the verdict. A spokesperson said the city is reviewing its options.

What they're saying:

"The compensation for the individual plaintiffs — for their injuries, trauma, and the violations of their rights — is important. But more important is the message this sends to the city of Denver, and police forces across the country: the police cannot use excessive force against peaceful demonstrators whose message they disagree with."

— Elizabeth Wang of law firm Loevy + Loevy, which represented five of the 12 plaintiffs in this suit.