PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The city of Portland has paid $55,000 to two independent journalists who alleged excessive force by Portland police during a 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstration.
An investigation after their lawsuit was filed determined the city risked being found liable, so the City Council opted for an emergency ordinance to avoid a jury trial, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The money for the settlement, which compensates the reporters for injuries, will come from the city’s Insurance and Claims Fund.
Cory Elia and Lesley McLam were contributing to Village Portland and KBOO Community Radio when they were arrested while live-streaming a protest.
After police deployed tear gas into the crowd, Elia was forced to the ground by at least four officers and McLam, who was trying to take Elias’ phone and press pass for him, was tackled by police, according to the lawsuit.