The attorneys contended that the city has an obligation to pay the tenants for damages they have sustained by being evicted for property that will be used for a public purpose.
The attorneys said the city should pay $1000 for damages incurred during an eviction. 
mnli hypothesis: The attorneys said the city should pay $1000 for damages incurred during an eviction.  premise: The attorneys contended that the city has an obligation to pay the tenants for damages they have sustained by being evicted for property that will be used for a public purpose.