New York City settles for $18 million over RNC arrests of journalists, protesters

The city of New York has reached an $18 million settlement over the arrest of roughly 1,800 protesters, journalists, and bystanders at the 2004 Republican National Convention.

Journalists, often those who were not credentialed, were among the many swept into holding pens at Pier 57 in New York City, some held for a couple hours and others held well over 24 hours. The conditions in the detention facilities – a former bus depot along the Hudson River – were described as filthy with poor ventilation, according to the New York Times.

According to the settlement, detainees will receive $10.3 million, which amounts to roughly $6,400 per person, and lawyers will receive $7.6 million. The city did not admit fault.