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Long is also suing United Airlines, alleging that airline employees knew calling aviation police would lead to the use of physical force. ABC News has reached out to CDA and United for comment.

Shortly after the 2017 incident, United told ABC News that passengers were offered up to $800 to give up their seats for four members of a crew who needed to board. When no one volunteered, the airline generated a list of passengers to be removed from the flight, in accordance with the airline's contract of carriage.

Of the four passengers, Dao was the only one who refused to comply, which triggered a call to airport police. Dao was subsequently dragged off the plane. United ultimately settled with Dao for an undisclosed amount, and said it would institute new policies for overbooked flights to prevent similar incidents.

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