NEW YORK, April 16 (UPI) -- New York City has agreed to pay $230,000 to settle claims filed by people jailed during the Republican National Convention against court orders.
The deal, between the city and 108 people arrested during last fall's RNC, followed claims the city was in contempt of court when it failed to act on Manhattan Supreme Court Justice John Cataldo's order to free protesters as quickly as possible, the New York Post reported Saturday.
"When a judge orders the city of New York to release people and they do not, the city will be held accountable," said civil-rights lawyer Norman Siegel, who represented many of the protesters.
Under the terms of the settlement, the city will pay $150 to each of 108 people who were in custody longer than was legally allowed on Sept. 2, 2004, as well as $215,000 in costs and legal fees.
Both sides have claimed victory in the settlement.
