Bucks’ Sterling Brown awarded $750K settlement in police brutality case

Milwaukee Bucks guard Sterling Brown has reached a $750,000 settlement in his civil rights lawsuit against the city of Milwaukee.

The lawsuit stems from a 2018 violent encounter with police over an alleged parking violation. Body cam footage filmed in January of that year supported Brown’s claim that excessive force was used against him, theGRIO previously reported. The video showed an officer stepping on Brown’s ankle as he lay helpless on the ground.

Brown sued the police department, claiming officers targeted him because he’s Black. The Associated Press reported that a group of officers swarmed on him at a Walgreens parking lot because he didn’t immediately remove his hands from his pockets. Brown was standing with the officers waiting for a citation for parking in a disabled spot early on Jan. 26, but never appeared to threaten police before or during his arrest.

Change the system.

During last week’s NBPA B.I.G Town Hall Series, Sterling Brown joined @BaronDavis and Chloe Cheyenne to talk about police reform and the importance of voting the right legislation into office to help push for change. pic.twitter.com/raEtRqzz99

— NBPA (@TheNBPA) October 5, 2020

According to Brown’s lawsuit, one of the (now former) officer’s involved, Erik Andrade, later took to Twitter to mock the athlete, saying, “Nice meeting Sterling Brown of the Milwaukee Bucks at work this morning! Lol#FearTheDeer”.

Andrade was ultimately fired because of the social media posts.

Brown’s attorney initially ejected a $400,000 settlement offer in October 2019.

“I’ve got plenty of people going through the same thing in Chicago and back at home,” Brown told ESPN in December. “So I know it’s happening in Milwaukee, so I’m pretty much being that voice for those who don’t have the platform that I have to make this national news.”

In addition to the $750,000 settlement, Brown wants the City of Milwaukee to admit officers violated his civil rights. He has also called for procedural changes within the Milwaukee Police Department that must go into effect within 180 days of the agreement.

“We are pleased that Sterling’s lawsuit has been mutually resolved and that there’s been an important commitment by the City of Milwaukee and its Police Department to make changes to the MPD’s standard operating procedures,” the Milwaukee Bucks issued a statement on Monday. “No one should ever have to go through the horrifying abuse and injustice that Sterling experienced. We commend Sterling for his courageous response to this terrible situation by repeatedly sharing his story and working tirelessly with countless local groups and organizations to help make change in our community. And we also commend the City’s leadership for its commitment to implement these important changes to better Milwaukee.”

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