A group of eight businesses located around “George Perry Floyd Square” are suing the City of Minneapolis and Mayor Jacob Frey for allegedly failing to provide police protection around the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.
The businesses say that Minneapolis’ failure to provide such protection, coupled with the extended presence of concrete barriers around the intersection, negatively impacted their businesses and personal safety.
The collection of business owners, most of whom are members of various minority groups, allege that Minneapolis’ actions “destroyed the businesses of minority persons,” did not affect “other business owners of the 8th Ward, many of whom are white males,” and were “disparate and unequal in nature.”
Among other things, the businesses are seeking attorneys fees, a court order compelling the city to restore police protection to the area, and damages in excess of $49 million.
In their lawsuit, the businesses say that the city installed concrete barriers around the East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue intersection following George Floyd’s death and refused to remove those barriers for over a year. According to the group of business owners, the city also “withdrew police protection for the Petitioners’ businesses at this intersection” for a period of several years.
“Criminals knew the area lacked police protection, and they made the area so dangerous that it is (sic) has become known as the ‘No Go Zone,'” says the lawsuit. “Minneapolis residents are aware of the ‘No Go Zone’ and actively stay away from the neighborhood and take their business elsewhere.”
In their lawsuit, the businesses recounted their personal experiences in the area following George Floyd’s death. Those experiences include witnessing a shooting victim running into one of their stores, being confronted by men wielding firearms, seeing customers get robbed at gunpoint, multiple stores getting shot at, and other traumatic events.
According to the businesses, the situation has led to an inability to retain workers, reduced sales, and loss of property value.
The concrete barricades around the intersection were taken down in June of 2021, but local activists put up their own improvised barriers shortly thereafter. At present, Minneapolis is considering multiple plans to redevelop the area.
“The City’s decision to allow civilian occupiers to ‘guard’ the zone enhanced economic hardship on the surrounding businesses and caused deadly results, including the takeover of the intersection by gangs,” the lawsuit says.
A spokesperson for the City of Minneapolis informed Alpha News that the city has filed a motion to dismiss the business owners’ lawsuit. Furthermore, the spokesperson forwarded statements from the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) regarding the intersection in question.
“As with all areas of the city, MPD provides 24/7 emergency response to the 38th and Chicago area,” said the MPD. “Additionally, since Aug 27, 2023, Chief O’Hara has assigned two officers to a dedicated beat in this area, focusing on community engagement, relationship-building, and collaborating with local businesses and residents.”
Minneapolis also forwarded two charts which show that reports of auto thefts and shots fired are no longer amongst the top 10 reasons residents make calls for service in the 38th and Chicago area.
A separate lawsuit filed by Cup Foods, another business that operates in “George Floyd Square,” is ongoing.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
