The city of Minneapolis has agreed to settle the wrongful death lawsuit filed by George Floyd’s family in July 2020, by paying $27 million. This settlement, closing the civil case, has been made five days into the criminal trial of Derek Chauvin, the officer who was charged with his death.

The suit had alleged that Derek Chauvin and three other officers who were involved in George Floyd’s death had used “unjustified, excessive, and illegal and deadly force” that violated his constitutional rights. The suit also accused the Minneapolis Police Department and the city of acting with “deliberate indifference.

Benjamin Crump one of the attorneys said that this being the largest pre-trial settlement would definitely send the message that Black Lives do matter. It will reiterate the undeniable demand for justice and change and reinforce the message that there should be a stop button for police brutality against people of color. George Floyd’s family members also commented.

In 2019, the city of Minneapolis had made another large settlement of $20 million to Justine Ruszczyk’s family. She had been fatally shot by Mohammed Noor, a Somali American former police officer from Minneapolis. He was convicted of third-degree murder and second degree manslaughter.

Floyd’s civil lawsuit said that although the city’s settlement with the Damond family had been “billed as transformational” it had not impacted the way “MPD conducts its business.”

Attorneys representing the Floyd family said that they were waiting “for justice in the criminal courts.”

Some changes have been to prevent the use of excessive force and the lawyers said that they were observing the implementation of these and other longstanding reforms that could make the city of Minneapolis a model one. However, they also reiterated that they would be back, if necessary, to ensure that black lives matter and is valued.