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American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawyers were awarded $80 thousand in a recent settlement with the city of St. Louis, Missouri over a controversial homeless “sweep” by the police in that city during the July 4th celebrations of 2004.
The city agreed to pay out $1,200 to each of the named plaintiffs in the suit. Many plaintiffs claimed that they were wrongfully imprisoned without criminal charges. The city, police, and the Downtown St. Louis Partnership, an organization of city businesses, will each share in paying out the award.
The suit was filed in federal court and alleged that the homeless people were made to move from the downtown area or arrested.
The settlement also makes new laws for the city of St. Louis that make public drinking, public urination, and aggressive panhandling fineable crimes, but not crimes that police can make an arrest for.
In lieu of lawyer’s fees, the city of St. Louis made a $20,000 donation to the Christ Church Cathedral for its homeless center and food program in downtown.