Kent reaches settlement with May 4 protestors

Leslie Arntz

The city of Kent reached a settlement with 11 plaintiffs who were arrested May 4, 2003 during an anti-war protest.

The lawsuit alleged the city and Kent police targeted individuals perceived to be leaders of the demonstration, regardless of whether they had broken any law.

Law Director Jim Silver said cases such as these get turned over to the city’s insurance company, Arizona-based Scottsdale Insurance.

The amount of $130,000 was a bit higher than the city expected, due to a mistake an insurance company attorney made in the written offer. The attorney mistakenly included court and attorney fees in the total settlement amount.

The city paid its deductible and the insurance company will make up the difference. Silver did not know the amount of the city’s deductible.

Contact public affairs reporter Leslie Arntz at [email protected].