Lawsuit To Make Minneapolis Pay For Riot Damages 'On Hold': Mayor

CARMEL, IN — Carmel isn't going to sue Minneapolis. At least, not right now. On Tuesday, Carmel Mayor James Brainard backed down from his previously announced plan to sue Minneapolis, a city some 600 miles away, for the local expense of policing demonstrations sparked by the police killing of George Floyd last week.

The plan was revealed Monday. In a Facebook post, Brainard announced the city had already retained attorneys for a legal action against Minneapolis for "negligence for the expenses incurred protecting our community as a result of the actions by police in Minneapolis."

In that same announcement, Brainard had also encouraged other cities "to join us in this lawsuit for recovery of our costs," and adding, "Those in power need to understand the far-reaching consequences of their actions."

But on Tuesday, it was Brainard who was reconsidering his actions.

"After some additional consideration," he wrote in a Facebook post, "I have decided to put on hold the idea of a lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis."

The post continued:

"This is not about inflicting more pain to the good people of Minneapolis. It is about sending a message to its leaders and to leaders of across the U.S. that we will no longer tolerate the violence and damage that results from their inability or unwillingness to treat all people with respect."

Indeed, while protests across the country have remained largely peaceful during daylight hours, the night has brought rioting, looting and arson to many cities — though, it should be noted, not in Carmel, where demonstrations have remained peaceful.

Brainard, in his initial Facebook post announcing the lawsuit, decried "injuries and senseless destruction of public and private property" and cited "messages posted on social media that encouraged followers to protest in and destroy areas of Carmel."

But that destruction didn't happen, other than "some windows were broken out of the Kohl’s on Michigan Road in the early morning hours on Sunday," he wrote, adding, "Our police department is gathering evidence in this crime."