Judge Dismisses Occupy's Lawsuit Against Hennepin Co.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A U.S. District Court Judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by Occupy Minneapolis against Hennepin County after a mediated settlement was reached between the parties.
Occupy's lawsuit challenged county rules and regulations about the use of the Hennepin County Government Center public plaza in downtown Minneapolis, where the group has been demonstrating since October.
"Since demonstrations began in October, Hennepin County has struck a reasonable balance between the First Amendment rights of all citizens and our responsibility to maintain a safe, accessible public place," said Hennepin County Board Chair Mike Opat. "The county's policies are intact and will be enforced."
Part of the settlement means that Occupy participants who had stored and left unattended property on the Government Center plaza will be able to recover their items, which were removed and stored by the county.
