Key victory in Minnesota case on attacks on journalists

Journalists won an important settlement with Minnesota in a lawsuit initiated by journalists injured or harassed during protests over police killings of George Floyd and Daunte Wright. The state will pay $825,000 in damages to journalists assaulted and injured and agreed to change several policies. Minnesota will submit to independent review of complaints of mistreatment of the press and issue body camera to all troopers. (The Associated Press, February 9, 2022)

The judge issued a permanent injunction preventing Minnesota State Patrol from attacking or arresting journalists. ACLU Legal Director Teresa Nelson said, “The Court’s ground-breaking injunction will hold state law enforcement accountable and require them to respect the First Amendment, rather than use violence and threats that deter the media from covering protests and police conduct.” (ACLU Minnesota, February 8, 2022, press release)

For related FAC coverage, click here, here and here.