Jury Awards $2.2 Million to Protester Injured by Less-Lethal Munition in 2020 Demo
A jury has delivered a verdict of at least $2.2 million to a protester who was shot in the face with a less-lethal projectile by a deputy from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department during a demonstration against police brutality in 2020.
Last week, the jury ruled that Los Angeles County was liable for the injuries sustained by Cellin Gluck, stating that he was entitled to $3.5 million in damages. Additionally, Gluck’s daughter, who accompanied him that day, was awarded $300,000 for emotional trauma.
LA County attorneys indicated in a statement that, given the jury’s finding that Gluck and other demonstrators bore partial responsibility for the incident, the total awards would be reduced by 35%. Consequently, Gluck would receive approximately $2.27 million, while his daughter would be granted around $195,000.
“The County is considering all avenues, including the possibility of an appeal,” the statement continued.
Gluck, known for his directorial work on films like "Oba: The Last Samurai" and "Persona Non Grata," claimed in his lawsuit that he and his daughter experienced excessive force during a peaceful protest in May 2020, sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
As they were returning to their vehicle after the protest, they encountered a fellow protester who appeared distressed and reported being struck in the face by a beanbag round, according to the lawsuit. Soon after, Gluck was hit in the face by a nonlethal projectile while he was holding only a camera.
“The force of the impact caused his head to snap backward, leading him to fall to the ground,” the plaintiffs detailed in their trial brief. “He was unarmed and not engaging in any violent behavior.”
The lawsuit revealed that the projectile “traveled up his nasal cavity, remaining lodged there for almost a year before surgical removal," resulting in permanent disfigurement, traumatic brain injuries, and ongoing consequences for Gluck.
Carl Douglas, Gluck’s attorney, expressed that while Gluck received some acknowledgment of his suffering, the amount awarded falls short of his initial request. “He is a 67-year-old man whose medical professionals have indicated he will need to cope with the repercussions of his injury for the rest of his life,” Douglas stated. “This financial compensation is inadequate for the ongoing pain he faces daily.”
Douglas added that law enforcement training emphasizes not targeting individuals above the shoulders unless they pose a lethal threat. He criticized the failure to identify the specific deputy involved in Gluck’s injury as a substantial indictment of the county and its systems.
“Unless accountability is enforced, verdicts like this will continue, sending a message to law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles to improve,” Douglas remarked.
The LA County Sheriff’s Department acknowledged the change in leadership since the incident, emphasizing the necessity to review past events to derive lessons for better community service.
The utilization of less-lethal munitions by police has faced renewed scrutiny in light of recent protests in downtown Los Angeles against the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies.
Reports indicate that journalists and media professionals have also been targeted, prompting a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order that prohibits LA police from deploying rubber projectiles and other less-lethal rounds against journalists.
One protester has even filed a civil rights claim against both the city of Los Angeles and the sheriff’s department after losing a finger to a less-lethal round during a demonstration related to the nationwide “No Kings” protests.
In California, a claim must be formally lodged before a civil rights lawsuit can proceed against a city or county concerning police misconduct.
Passionate journalist and digital news editor with a keen eye for global affairs and emerging trends. As the founder and lead writer of RSS News US, he is dedicated to delivering accurate, insightful, and engaging content to readers seeking trustworthy news in a fast-paced world.
