NYC settles police-brutality lawsuit with Occupy Wall Street protesters

NEW YORK, July 7 (UPI) -- New York City agreed to pay more than $330,000 to six Occupy Wall Street protesters who said police unjustly doused them with pepper spray during a demonstration that helped launched the movement into the spotlight.

The recently reached settlements, ranging from $52,500 to $60,000 per person, or a total of $332,500, are just some of the payouts arising from the early days of the protests against economic inequalities that began in September 2011.

"We're happy with the settlements," said lawyer Mark Taylor, who represented Damien Crisp, Kelly Hanlin and Julie Lawler, each who will receive $52,500. "We think it's an amount that reflects the city's awareness that [Deputy Inspector Anthony] Bologna acted improperly." Two other women, Chelsea Elliott and Jeanne Mansfield, each won $60,000.

The case stems from a march a week after the Occupy protesters began gathering in lower Manhattan. A video shows Bologna using pepper spray on a group of marchers who were corralled behind orange police netting. The images brought nationwide attention to the movement.

In May, Rheannone Ball, 23, won a $45,000 settlement from the city after she filed a suit claiming Bologna grabbed her and threw her to the ground during a protest.