Residents of Minneapolis are suing the City Council for a lack of police presence after leaders voted to defund the police earlier this year.
“We are here, we stand together in unison, to say enough is enough,” community activist Cathy Spann said during a press conference. “I am here today to say it is about all of us coming together to make a difference to stop the gun violence that is in our city — downtown, south, north. We are stopping it. We are no longer asking for a plan. We are the plan.”
“We are the plan,” says #Mpls community activist Cathy Spann. She & several other residents have filed a lawsuit, claiming city is not meeting its legal obligation to fund a minimal level of policing. Lawsuit arguments just wrapped up. Judge did not issue a ruling today. @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/3LcTQ3BqAb
— Paul Blume (@PaulBlume_FOX9) October 19, 2020
The lawsuit comes after the council voted unanimously in June to dismantle the police department in favor of a “Department of Community Safety.” Currently, Mayor Jacob Frey’s 2021 budget plan includes a cut of $14 million to the city’s police department.
Former council member Don Samuels said he and his family can no longer leave their home at night because of the increase in violent crimes.
“We have made the emotional appeal,” Samuels said. “We have demonstrated the statistical uptick, and now, this is the legal action we are exercising because it seems as if the City Council cannot hear us and doesn’t feel what we feel.”
Don Samuels, former #Mpls city council member has also signed onto the lawsuit demanding adequate police staffing levels out on the streets. City wants suit dismissed. Claims, it is meeting minimum obligations spelled out in city charter. @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/reBLLIaA4U
— Paul Blume (@PaulBlume_FOX9) October 19, 2020
The City Council and its attorneys responded to the lawsuit saying it should be dismissed as the city has a sufficient number of law enforcement officers.
A judge heard arguments on Monday and has 90 days to issue a ruling.
“This is like all they are focused on is having a re-imagined police department while we’re focused on staying alive,” said Sondra Samuels, one of the petitioners.
