Cup Foods sues Minneapolis, Mayor Jacob Frey over loss of business at George Floyd Square
MINNEAPOLIS — Several Minneapolis businesses are taking the city of Minneapolis to court.
The lawsuit accuses the city of creating crime concerns after the murder of George Floyd and alleges a loss of business due to barriers put up in the area.
Floyd was murdered in 2020 after going inside Cup Foods with a counterfeit $20, sparking worldwide protests.
And now, Cup Foods is among the businesses suing the city of Minneapolis and Mayor Jacob Frey for $1.5 million in damages.
The lawsuit states, "The barricades have surrounded plaintiffs for over one year and have physically prevented business patrons from visiting the area, and the area has turned into a hub for violent crime."
READ MORE: Business owners at George Floyd Square say area has seen positive change
Four decades ago, Richard Gaddes moved into his south Minneapolis home, near what's now known as George Perry Floyd Square.
"There's always something going on up there, there's gunshots up there all the time," Gaddes said.
Gaddes remembers a time where his neighborhood was bustling with businesses, now he says many of his neighbors have moved out due to safety concerns.
"There was a time here right after the George Floyd incident where the cops wouldn't come into the neighborhood at all no matter what happened," Gaddes said. "I like it here and I'd like to feel safe in my own neighborhood."
For some folks, they chose this neighborhood intentionally. They say it's the sense of community that makes them feel at home.
"Part of the reason that we wanted to live here is that the community on this street's really tight-knit with all that they've been through," Michael Olson said.
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Olson moved into the neighborhood two years ago and says things have been great for his family. He believes there's a lot of misconceptions about his neighborhood.
"The story on the ground, day-to-day living here is completely different than what people who never come here think they know about this place," Olson said.
The city couldn't comment, but the mayor's office stood by their strategy for reopening the street and said they did so in a planned way where no one was hurt, and the area remained safe for residents.