Maryland Settles With Pro-Life Group Over Illegal Arrests

The Maryland Board of Public Works has offered a settlement to pro-life activists who sued, claiming troopers illegally arrested protesters in 2008.

The board approved a $385,000 settlement with Defend Life, a nonprofit activist organization. The lawsuit stemmed from the arrest of 17 anti-abortion protesters by troopers on Aug. 1, 2008 in Bel Air, reports Patch.com .

The lawsuit was brought by the Thomas More Society on behalf of the group. The society released a statement on Thursday about the settlement.

"We sincerely believe that with a better understanding of the First Amendment and a new-found respect for citizen protests, the Maryland State Police will strive hereafter to protect all the rights bestowed on individuals by the U.S. Constitution," said Thomas Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Chicago-based society.