Activist Attorney Gets $20K Over Arrest at Podium of Public Hearing
An attorney and community activist arrested and handcuffed after she tried to speak on behalf of clients at a public hearing in Florida more than three years ago has won a $20,000 settlement from the Broward County commission.
The county has admitted no wrongdoing in the incident, which occurred after Brenda Chalifour, having already spoken for herself about a proposed expansion of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport, tried to speak again. Refused because of her pro bono status, she quickly picked up a small retainer, she tells the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
“People began handing me money. I made $22 bucks that night. I went back up and said ‘I’m being paid. Here’s my dollar.’ “
At that point, she was arrested by a county sheriff’s deputy and charged with trespassing. The case against her was eventually dismissed, after she hired an attorney to represent her.
“Maybe they’ll think twice before treating people like crap when they go to address them,” said Chalifour said after the commission voted to approve the settlement. “But that remains to be seen.”
She is still pursuing a case against the sheriff’s office, and says the $20,000 will cover her legal fees so far.
The article doesn’t include any comment from county officials.
Additional coverage:
Broward Beat: “Ritter’s Nemesis To Get $$$ From County”
WSVN (June 2007): “Broward Commissioners vote in favor of FLL runway expansion”
