Atlanta – Clayton County commissioners approved a $30,000 settlement with comedians Eric André and Clayton English, ending a police drug‑search program that the plaintiffs said targeted Black travelers at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Settlement details
The settlement, announced Tuesday, does not admit fault but requires the county to discontinue the program and to implement safeguards. Police officers assigned to the airport must now wear body‑worn cameras and receive training on the constitutional limits of airport encounters.
According to board minutes from the August 4 meeting, the $30,000 payment will be split evenly between the two comedians. A county spokesperson declined to comment further.
Background of the lawsuit
André and English filed the suit in October 2022, alleging that Clayton County police stopped them on the jet bridge, questioned them about drugs, and singled them out because they were Black. Both incidents occurred about six months apart, with other passengers observing the encounters.
In an interview at the time of filing, André described the experience as “dehumanizing and demoralizing.” In a press release following the settlement, he called the outcome a “major victory” and said the county’s confirmation that the program is ended will help prevent future abuse. English added, “What happened to me was wrong, and I wasn’t willing to let it happen to other people.”
Program statistics
Police records cited in the lawsuit show that from August 30, 2020, to April 30, 2021, officers conducted 402 jet‑bridge stops. Passenger race was recorded for 378 of those stops; 211 (56%) were Black, and people of color accounted for 258 stops (68%).
Only three drug seizures resulted from the 402 stops: about 10 grams of an unspecified drug from one passenger, 26 grams of suspected THC gummies from another, and six prescription pills without a prescription from a third. Charges were filed against the first and third individuals.
The stops also produced more than $1 million in cash and money orders from 25 passengers. All but one passenger were allowed to continue their travel, and only the two passengers who also had drugs were charged. Eight of the 25 passengers challenged the seizures; the county settled each case, returning most of the seized money.
Implications for the community
The settlement underscores growing scrutiny of law‑enforcement practices that may infringe on constitutional rights, particularly the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches. By mandating body‑worn cameras and constitutional‑law training, Clayton County aims to increase transparency and rebuild trust with travelers and local residents.
Local advocacy groups have praised the settlement as a step toward greater accountability, while some law‑enforcement officials note that the program was intended to combat drug trafficking—a concern that remains for the airport and the region.
Next steps
County officials say they will monitor compliance with the new camera and training requirements and will report progress at future board meetings. The settlement does not preclude the county from pursuing other lawful security measures at the airport, provided they respect passengers’ constitutional rights.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
