In early 2024, the City of New York paid Trevor Britvec $115,000 to settle a civil rights claim.
He had sued the NYPD over his arrest during a 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstration.
Like many similar cases, the charges were dropped, and the city agreed to settle rather than continue litigation.
That payment was part of a staggering $1.45 billion in protest-related payouts made by New York last year alone.
While these settlements are framed as safeguards for civil liberties, recent events raise serious concerns about who benefits—and what taxpayers are actually funding.
So the “oh no not work” guy who was blocking a single mother from getting to her job had previously won a $115k settlement from the city because his ‘civil rights’ were allegedly violated by the NYPD during a previous BLM protest.
Do you see the scam now?
The city paid off… https://t.co/cogosiJGVM
— Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (@VickieforNYC) June 13, 2025
A Viral Video Changes the Narrative
Earlier this week, Britvec was recorded on camera grinning and blocking traffic in Manhattan.
In the video, he mocks a mother trying to get to work, saying, “Oh no, not work.”
The incident struck a chord, not just for its disrespect, but because of who he is—and how he got here.
Taxpayers compensated Britvec under the promise of justice.
Now, many are asking why someone paid by the public would feel so comfortable interfering with their daily lives.
That question is only growing louder.
From the Street to the Boardroom
The situation took another turn when viewers identified a second figure in the video: Karen Ramspacher, a senior executive at MRI-Simmons, a major market research firm.
Her professional bio lists her as a Senior Vice President of Innovation and Insights. She leads product development and analytics—serious responsibilities in a respected organization.
Her presence at a disruptive protest surprised many.
When corporate leaders join public demonstrations that block roads and delay working families, it challenges assumptions. The line between protest and privilege begins to blur.
The Real Cost of Settlements
Most Americans want law enforcement held accountable when mistakes are made.
Legal settlements can serve that purpose.
Yet there’s growing evidence they are having unintended consequences.
A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that large protest payouts often lead to more protests—not fewer.
In cities where public money flows freely to demonstrators, unrest tends to rise again in the following years.
That pattern seems to be unfolding in New York.
According to recent NYPD data, protest-related disruptions are up 30% this year.
The system isn’t discouraging chaos. It may be rewarding it.
Who Pays for the Disruption?
In 2024, every New York taxpayer covered a share of the $1.45 billion in protest payouts. That comes to roughly $170 per person.
Most of those paying that price have never thrown a rock, blocked a street, or been arrested at a demonstration.
They simply go to work, obey the law, and hope for a city that respects their effort.
The video of Britvec taunting a working mother isn’t just a personal offense.
It’s a symbol of something larger: a growing disconnect between activist incentives and public responsibility.
Holding Systems Accountable
Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, who shared the video online, sees this as part of a broader failure.
She points to city policies that fast-track protest settlements, reduce police funding, and prioritize political optics over public safety.
When settlements flow without scrutiny, and when activists face no consequences for ongoing disruption, the public begins to lose faith in the process.
A Time for Clear Boundaries
Should protesters who receive settlements be held to a standard of conduct afterward?
Should legal frameworks include provisions for recurring offenses?
Should corporate employers address employees who use their public standing to participate in disruptive behavior?
These aren’t extreme questions. They are basic ones, rooted in fairness and accountability.
Moving Forward
Trevor Britvec received a significant payout under the banner of justice. His actions since have cast doubt on the purpose of that settlement.
Karen Ramspacher holds a powerful role in a respected firm, yet her decision to join a street protest raises reasonable concerns about judgment.
Public trust is a fragile thing. Once lost, it’s hard to rebuild.
New Yorkers deserve more than slogans and settlements.
They deserve policies that protect civil liberties without excusing public disorder—and a government that remembers who it’s really working for.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
