Three cities in the East Bay, California, have agreed to a $3.4 million settlement with a young woman who sustained a brain injury after being struck by rubber bullets during the George Floyd protests in 2020.
This settlement is notably the largest known sum resulting from the Bay Area protests three years ago. The cities involved in the settlement are Walnut Creek, San Ramon, and Pleasant Hill.
In April, the parties reached an agreement on the settlement amount, but the woman, now 27, has only recently decided to share her story. Recalling the incident, she expressed that what happened to her was unjust and should never occur to anyone.
Walnut Creek, one of the cities involved, contributed $100,000 to the settlement without admitting any fault. The specific contributions of San Ramon and Pleasant Hill remain unclear, as city officials did not respond to inquiries.
In response to the incident, Walnut Creek stated that it has revised its crowd control procedures for large protests. The city has ceased using tear gas and expanded its non-lethal arsenal to include bean bag shotguns, bola wraps, and improved Tasers.
The woman, who was injured during the protest, joined the event in Walnut Creek with the intention of documenting it and providing aid, including medical assistance. She was equipped with first aid supplies, snacks, and a camera, aiming to ensure everyone's well-being.
The protest escalated around 6 p.m. when police announced a curfew and warned that tear gas and non-lethal rubber bullets would be used on those who did not disperse. The woman's memory of the events that followed is unclear. She recalls attempting to leave the area, navigating through tear gas and chaotic scenes with loud noises and smoke.
She distinctly remembers being struck in the forehead by a rubber bullet while moving towards downtown Walnut Creek, an experience that left her temporarily unable to see or hear.
Walnut Creek's statement indicated that the protest had become disorderly, with some participants throwing objects at officers and others blocking traffic on Interstate 680. The police responded by firing sponge rounds at a man who had thrown a tear gas canister at them, and it's believed one of these rounds hit the woman, causing her brain injury.
The woman, still uncertain about the identity of the officer who shot her, was eventually assisted and taken to a hospital by her father. Initially diagnosed with a concussion, she later discovered she had a brain bleed. This injury has had lasting effects on her cognitive abilities, affecting her memory, organizational skills, and clarity of thought. She shared a photo of her injury, showing severe bleeding above her eye, a stark portrayal of the incident's severity.
Currently, the woman is living with her family, caring for animals, and contemplating her future, including the possibility of becoming a paralegal. She acknowledges that her capabilities have been significantly altered by the incident, and she is unsure of her future potential.
Despite the substantial financial settlement, the woman emphasizes that no amount of money can compensate for the challenges and changes she has had to face as a result of the injury.
