Occupy Protester Gets $50K Settlement for Pepper Spraying by NYPD Officer

An NYPD deputy inspector's notorious pepper-spraying of Occupy Wall Street protesters in 2011 has resulted in an additional $50,001 settlement.

Photo: NYPD FacebookPhoto: NYPD Facebook

An NYPD deputy inspector's notorious pepper-spraying of Occupy Wall Street protesters in 2011 has cost the city an additional $50,001, reports the New York Daily News.

Kelly Schomburg, who was 18 at the time of the incident, scored the sum as part of a settlement revealed in filings in Manhattan Federal Court.

She was one of a group of mostly female protesters who were caught on video being corralled behind orange netting by officers near Union Square on Sept. 24, 2011.

A video of the officer approaching the group and blasting them with pepper spray went viral and helped galvanize the movement.

The settlement is at least the seventh stemming from the officer's move, bringing the total to $382,501.

"Ms. Schomburg posed absolutely no threat to the officer who mercilessly doused her and a group of Occupy Wall Street demonstrators with pepper spray," her suit charged.

The officer's union had said he acted out of concern for safety and that he prevented more injuries and chaos. The NYPD reprimanded him and he was docked 10 vacation days.

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