ALBANY – The city will pay $50,000 to settle claims filed by two residents who said they were falsely arrested while one of them attempted to film another man’s arrest near the Arch Street police station in June 2020.
The city’s Board of Estimate and Apportionment unanimously approved two $25,000 settlements to Kimani Addison and Desiree Shuman.
The settlements were approved without comment beyond Corporation Counsel Marisa Franchini saying the settlements were paid over allegations of false arrest. The city did not admit any fault as part of the settlement.
Addison and Shuman were arrested June 2, 2020, shortly after Addison began recording the arrest of another man near the intersection of South Pearl and Arch streets. The incident took place days after several Albany rallies — including two that featured clashes between police and protesters — called for police reforms and an end to police brutality after the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
A detective told Addison he was too close to the officers who were making the arrest. Addison said he initially backed up several feet to meet a detective's demands but eventually objected when the detective kept insisting he move even further away. Addison and the detective exchanged words before the detective and several other officers grabbed Addison and arrested him.
Police accused Addison of inciting a riot and resisting arrest. After the Times Union published a story with video of the incident, the city...
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