Denver, Colorado — Denver has initiated an appeal regarding a federal court decision that required the city to pay nearly $14 million in damages. This follows a jury verdict which determined that the Denver police had breached the constitutional rights of protestors during the 2020 demonstrations sparked by George Floyd’s death under a Minneapolis officer’s knee.
The protests, part of a nationwide outcry against police brutality, saw Denver law enforcement using tear gas and other non-lethal munitions to manage crowds. This response has now led to multiple lawsuits, focusing on the aggressive tactics employed by the police.
In 2022, the case, presided over by U.S. District Court Senior Judge R. Brooke Jackson, culminated in a judgment favoring the plaintiffs who sustained injuries during the protests. Despite resolving some issues post-trial, the final judgment was entered in August.
Attempting to overturn this decision, Denver has recently petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. In their opening brief filed on December 23, city representatives claimed Judge Jackson had made several mistakes, including flawed jury instructions and inappropriate testimony from Denver’s independent police monitor. The city also argued that it was absolved of liability as a matter of law.
As the case progresses, plaintiffs are expected to present their counterarguments by late February. This ongoing litigation reflects a broader pattern of similar cases still pending in federal court, related to police conduct during the 2020 protests.
Denver has also faced other compensatory measures, settling for millions of dollars over its enforcement actions during the protests. These include the arrests of demonstrators for breaking curfew and employing crowd-control measures allegedly without sufficient warning.
The specific case in question is titled Packard et al. v. City and County of Denver et al and continues to be a significant reference point for discussions on police reform and civil rights in the context of protest management.
As Denver navigates through these legal challenges, the outcome of this appeal and other related cases will likely influence future law enforcement protocols during public demonstrations in the city and possibly beyond.
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