Aaron Koleszar made the cover of Time when he was arrested during protests against the World Trade Organization in Seattle, Wash., in 1999, and now he's receiving compensation for that arrest.

The event was the first of several major, organized protests against globalization and the picture of Koleszar, pinned to the ground by a policeman, became an emblem of that struggle.

Koleszar's image became emblematic of the protests against globalization.
(CBC)

Koleszar was one of 175 arrested, and he recently learned that a class-action lawsuit against the city was successful.

"A jury found the city liable for unconstitutionally arresting us," said Koleszar.

"The specifics of that agreement were that financial settlement of $1 million. About half of that, it sounds like a fair bit, but about half of that goes to the lawyers and legal costs, and then the other half gets split amongst the hundred-and-some people. So it comes out to, I think, just under $3,000 per person."

In addition to the money, police can no longer share the arrest records from that protest with other police or government agencies.

Koleszar called the court decision a small victory.