Cleveland to pay $540,000 to 12 arrested in racial protests

CLEVELAND (AP) — A lawyer for people arrested in 2020 racial injustice protests in Cleveland says the city has agreed to settle a federal lawsuit for $540,000. Sarah Gelsomino is a civil attorney who represented 12 people who sued the city and Cleveland officers. Gelsomino and legal partner Terry Gilbert announced the settlement Thursday. Gelsomino says the individuals had peacefully protested outside the city’s Justice Center but were still arrested and taken to jail. Some of the 12 also received minor injuries including being hit with pepper spray. Gelsomino says the city has agreed to remove the charges from the individuals’ records. The 12 will split the settlement evenly.