Photographer tackled by police - receives $100,000 in compensation

In 2020, over 450 large protests were organized across the USA due to the death of George Floyd - an event whose video spread over the internet when a police officer placed his knee on Floyd's neck for nine minutes.

Freelance photographer Mark Nieter was on site to document the demonstration linked to George Floyd's death, in Minneapolis. According to Nieter himself, he was far from the gathered crowd for the demonstration, while he had a blue press aid, press pass, and cameras on his body - when he was tackled, pepper-sprayed, and arrested for not following orders.

The reported incident was dismissed by the federal judge, but Nieter appealed to a higher court when the party Des Moines Police Department and Nieter later agreed.

"Of course, we are pleased to present a statement that reflects our approach in everything we do in the city regarding the importance of a free press for our society and the value and appreciation that the city has for the work that the press performs," stated city manager Scott Sanders.

The settlement resulted in Nieter receiving $100,000 from Des Moines.