In San Francisco Federal Court, on April 28, a jury unanimously decided in favor of the eight activists who had pepper spray swabbed directly into their eyes by Humboldt County law enforcement almost eight years ago. According to plaintiffs their case against Humboldt County, the city of Eureka, and law enforcement was never about the money but about setting a precedent against the use of excessive force against people who are passively resisting. The jury agreed with the eight plaintiffs, though they felt that the plaintiffs did not suffer ongoing physical or psychological damage, and awarded each $1 in nominal damages. The County may also have to pay fair compensation to the attorneys as decided by the judge after a complex study of costs incurred during this part of the proceedings. The County and the city of Eureka have already spent over $800,000 on defending their position, although most will be paid by insurers. County attorneys now focus on what this verdict means to the Sheriffs Department's policy on use of force.

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