CHICAGO — A man identified as Britvec has been awarded $115,000 in a settlement agreement after alleging that his civil rights were violated by the NYPD during a Black Lives Matter protest, according to images and settlement reporting surfaced by @Nowooski.
Though the event occurred in New York City, the discussion has ignited local controversy in Chicago, where critics are comparing the case to recent payouts involving protest-related lawsuits in the city. The financial compensation follows a wave of lawsuits across the country linked to law enforcement’s handling of the 2020 protest movement.
Visual Identity, Viral Spread And Public Reactions
The case gained traction after a widely shared image of Britvec at a protest, captured by Fox News under the banner “@FrontlinesTPUSA,” showed him laughing while stating, “Oh no! not work (laughing).” The clip, taken in New York City, became a point of satire online, especially after details of the settlement emerged.
A second image, which accompanied the reporting, identifies Britvec in formal attire, captioned with the confirmation:
“Britvec was awarded $115,000 in a settlement against the city after alleging his civil rights were violated by the NYPD at a Black Lives Matter protest.”
This combination of protest optics and financial payout fueled heated commentary, particularly on Chicago-based platforms, where some users connected the story to earlier local protest settlements.
Settlement Context Mirrors Recent Chicago Cases
The situation echoes a recent settlement in Chicago, where two local men were awarded a combined $115,000 for police conduct during George Floyd protests — including one payout of $40,000 to a freelance reporter and another of $75,000 to a protester, as documented by WTTW.
In both the New York and Chicago cases, settlements followed allegations of excessive force, chemical exposure, and crowd-control tactics that plaintiffs argued were violations of their First and Fourth Amendment rights.
Critics in Chicago, including political commentators such as Wally Nowinski, have taken issue with what they view as a pattern of quick payouts in protest-related claims. In this instance, Nowinski referred to Britvec as “Woke Sideshow Bob,” mocking his appearance and suggesting the legal system was being gamed.
Public Trust And Law Enforcement Accountability
The legal and public discourse surrounding these settlements reflects a growing national divide over how municipalities should handle past and future claims from civil unrest.
While some view the payouts as justice served, others argue they enable performative activism with taxpayer consequences.
Still, civil rights experts argue the settlements signal that cities are choosing resolution over prolonged court battles. Advocates say avoiding protracted litigation spares victims the trauma of legal delays while still enforcing accountability on law enforcement.
Have protest-related lawsuits and city payouts changed your view of law enforcement accountability? Let us know your take on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
