The Minneapolis City Council agreed to a $27 million civil settlement with the family of George Floyd, the unarmed Black man who died while detained by police in May 2020.
On Friday (March 12), the city council approved the settlement with a 13-0 vote, with $500,000 said to be going towards the George Floyd Memorial site at 38th and Chicago, CBS reports.
The civil lawsuit was filed on July 15, and stated that the four ex-officers involved in Floyd's fatal arrest last year violated his rights when they restrained him.
Attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family, referred to the settlement as "historic" and went on to thank city leaders, who he said were "progressive and deeply moral".
"Mr. Floyd died because the weight of the entire Minneapolis Police Department was on his neck," Crump said at the time of the suit.
"The family of George Floyd and our legal team are very grateful to Mayor Frey and the city council for not just saying you care about George Floyd, but showing that you care about George Floyd — not just saying that black lives matter, but showing the world that black lives matter," Crump continued.
Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey said Floyd's death caused a "century-in-the-making reckoning around racial justice that struck Minneapolis like a thunderbolt".
On Friday, Floyd's family said they were happy with the settlement, but it could never make up for the loss they suffered.
"Even though my brother is not here, he's here with me in my heart," said Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd. "Because if I could get him back, I would give all of this back.
"You put your lives on the line -- there's nothing I can do to be able to repay you for that because you showed who you are."
Floyd's death came under worldwide scrutiny after footage emerged of police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck for over nine minutes, while Floyd pleaded with the officer, telling him, "I can’t breathe".
Chauvin is on trial for murder and manslaughter charges. Three other former officers involved in the deadly incident last year have been charged with aiding and abetting and will go on trial in August.