Minneapolis Restaurant Owners Sue City Over Civil Unrest

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The owners of a Minneapolis restaurant have filed a lawsuit against the city over extensive property damage they said they received due to last year's civil unrest from the police killing of George Floyd.

Filed Tuesday in federal court, the owners of Town Talk Diner and Gastropub, Kacey White and Charles Stotts, claim that Mayor Jacob Frey and city officials stood back and watched as protests turned violent, resulting in destruction of businesses on Lake Street following Floyd's death while in Minneapolis police custody.

The complaint also alleges that residents and business owners near the Minneapolis Police Department's third precinct noticed vehicles dropping off pallets of bricks and other objects typically used to cause property destruction on May 27, 2020 — two days after Floyd's death. Police were reportedly notified and questioned regarding the activity; however, the complainants said they were told to "get the f---k out of the area" by the police.

The following day, the lawsuit claims that the city, at the direction of Mayor Frey, abruptly abandoned MPD's third precinct station and the neighborhood streets relying on its protection.

"Rather than seeking to restore order and protect the residents and property owners within the third precinct, the city and and Mayor Frey instead chose to surrender the area to rioters who set fire to the community," the lawsuit reads in part.

In a statement to MPR News, City Attorney Jim Rowader disputed the lawsuit and said that Frey acted appropriately.

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“Mayor Frey took quick and decisive action, requesting the support from the Minnesota National Guard immediately upon the police chief’s request to do so and as soon as there was any discernible risk of civil unrest and damage to neighborhoods and businesses,” Rowader's statement reads in part. “That same evening the Minneapolis Police Department submitted a detailed request outlining scope of the need and a mission plan for the additional support.

Nevertheless, the restaurant owners said they suffered irreparable harm due to the destruction and chaos that erupted in the city and were subject to acts of violence, harassment, trespass, and vandalism, inability to use their property, loss of police protection and public services, including police, medical, and fire services, loss of business revenue, reduction in property value, destruction of property and other economic and non-economic injuries.

According to the lawsuit, the restaurant owners are seeking $4.5 million in damages and a trial by jury. To view the lawsuit in its entirety, see below: