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Cup Foods, George Floyd Square businesses sue Minneapolis
Cup Foods and surrounding businesses are seeking $1.5 million in damages.
MINNEAPOLIS — Editor’s Note: This video aired May 25, 2023.
Cup Foods and its affiliated businesses at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue filed a complaint against the city of Minneapolis, requesting a payout of $1.5 million in damages for causing the murder of George Floyd and the subsequent management of what became George Floyd Square, for more than a year.
Menthol Tobacco and Southside Electronics — which are located inside Cup Foods — NMA Investments, and 3759 Chicago Ave, LLC are listed as the plaintiffs in the suit. Court documents say all of the businesses are owned by the same family, who allege the barriers erected by the city at the intersection after Floyd’s murder “violated” their “property rights.”
In the aftermath of Floyd’s murder, Cup Foods found itself in the middle of it all, as an employee had called emergency services reporting Floyd tried to pay for items with a fake $20 bill.
George Floyd Square was first established at the intersection of 38th and Chicago in memory of Floyd, who was murdered there in May of 2020 by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. A video taken by a witness outside the store showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.
The social unrest in the days and weeks that followed prompted the city to put up concrete barriers in the streets, while community members turned the intersection into the memorial adorned with flowers and art depicting George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Minneapolis city leaders started reopening the intersection in June 2021, about a year after they put the barricades up. Many community members were upset with the decision to reopen it, and voiced that they felt the city didn’t consult them.
According to the complaint, the businesses claim the city owes them compensatory damages for three reasons: Floyd’s murder; placing concrete barriers around the intersection and leaving them up for more than a year; and failing to provide police protection as required by the city charter.
The complaint says the barricades “physically prevented business patrons from visiting the area, and the area has turned into a hub for violent crime.” Further, the businesses say the area is now considered a “no go zone” because of criminal activity, and tenants have since abandoned their rented spaces.
Mayor Jacob Frey said the city did everything possible to open the street safely, and in a planned way so no one was hurt and the area remained safe for residents.
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The young victim was driving a Ford Taurus when it went off the road and struck a tree.
LITTLE SAUK, Minn. — A 16-year-old boy died in a crash Sunday night in Little Sauk, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.
The Browerville teen was driving a Ford Taurus northbound on Highway 71 around 10 p.m. when the car went off the road and struck a tree near 150th Street, according to the Minnesota State Patrol website.
Troopers say roads were snowy and icy at that time.
The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating and will release the victim’s identity and any case updates when they become available.
The wellness program welcomed people to tour the space on World AIDS day.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Aliveness Project opened up a Thrive clinic and pharmacy on Sunday, which is World AIDS Day.
“The Aliveness Project is about helping people living with and at risk for HIV, live long and healthy lives,” said Aliveness Project Executive Director Matt Toburen.
Toburen said construction started eight months ago but the project has been in the works for two years.
“We’re really excited to have an inclusive space and an inclusive clinic pharmacy,” Toburen said. “Anyone from the community can feel welcomed … they’re not going to be stigmatized or turned away for who they are and who they love.”
Toburen said having an onsite pharmacy is important because some patients won’t pick up their prescribed medication after their appointment.
He said this type of clinic and pharmacy is needed in Minnesota.
“We’re failing the community, and people are falling through the cracks, people who are at risk of HIV are falling through the cracks, and so we’ve created the Thrive Clinic Pharmacy in order to end HIV in Minnesota,” he said. “In our neighboring states of Wisconsin, and Illinois, and Iowa, they’re seeing decreased HIV infections.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Health an HIV outbreak was declared in Hennepin and Ramsey counties in 2020, and in the Duluth area in 2021.
MDH reported 324 people were diagnosed with HIV last year, and 207 people have been diagnosed in Minnesota this year.
“We have to do something bold because it’s unacceptable,” Toburen said.
He said there are a number of factors that contributed to the outbreak like healthcare disparities, lack of protection, and lack of sexual healthcare. He also said the outbreaks have been tied to encampments and intravenous drug use.
Toburen said the center can be a one-stop shop for people to seek medical care, food, and other resources.
He said the pharmacy will also offer PrEP and PEP.
“PrEP is a medication that when taken regularly can prevent someone from contracting HIV. PEP is something that is post-exposure prophylactic, often used in the medical setting… kind of like the morning after pill, that when there is an exposure, when taken withing 72 hours can prevent contracting HIV,” he said.
Toburen said rapid access to these medications is really important for their effectiveness. Paying for these medications can be another barrier this pharmacy will work to address.
He’s also excited to see how the clinicians and pharmacists will work together as a team to help their patients.
“This can be really groundbreaking when it comes to work on gender medicine and hormone treatments and being able to modify and… adjust medications and treatments and working with the pharmacist whose working in collaboration with that provider,” he said.
Toburen said the clinic is open. Prospective patients can schedule an appointment online or stop by the Aliveness Project.
He said the pharmacy will open in early 2025. The pharmacy will also be available to people who need other medications.
The wellness program welcomed people to tour the space on World AIDS day.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Aliveness Project opened up a Thrive clinic and pharmacy on Sunday, which is World AIDS Day.
“The Aliveness Project is about helping people living with and at risk for HIV, live long and healthy lives,” said Aliveness Project Executive Director Matt Toburen.
Toburen said construction started eight months ago but the project has been in the works for two years.
“We’re really excited to have an inclusive space and an inclusive clinic pharmacy,” Toburen said. “Anyone from the community can feel welcomed … they’re not going to be stigmatized or turned away for who they are and who they love.”
Toburen said having an onsite pharmacy is important because some patients won’t pick up their prescribed medication after their appointment.
He said this type of clinic and pharmacy is needed in Minnesota.
“We’re failing the community, and people are falling through the cracks, people who are at risk of HIV are falling through the cracks, and so we’ve created the Thrive Clinic Pharmacy in order to end HIV in Minnesota,” he said. “In our neighboring states of Wisconsin, and Illinois, and Iowa, they’re seeing decreased HIV infections.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Health an HIV outbreak was declared in Hennepin and Ramsey counties in 2020, and in the Duluth area in 2021.
MDH reported 324 people were diagnosed with HIV last year, and 207 people have been diagnosed in Minnesota this year.
“We have to do something bold because it’s unacceptable,” Toburen said.
He said there are a number of factors that contributed to the outbreak like healthcare disparities, lack of protection, and lack of sexual healthcare. He also said the outbreaks have been tied to encampments and intravenous drug use.
Toburen said the center can be a one-stop shop for people to seek medical care, food, and other resources.
He said the pharmacy will also offer PrEP and PEP.
“PrEP is a medication that when taken regularly can prevent someone from contracting HIV. PEP is something that is post-exposure prophylactic, often used in the medical setting… kind of like the morning after pill, that when there is an exposure, when taken withing 72 hours can prevent contracting HIV,” he said.
Toburen said rapid access to these medications is really important for their effectiveness. Paying for these medications can be another barrier this pharmacy will work to address.
He’s also excited to see how the clinicians and pharmacists will work together as a team to help their patients.
“This can be really groundbreaking when it comes to work on gender medicine and hormone treatments and being able to modify and… adjust medications and treatments and working with the pharmacist whose working in collaboration with that provider,” he said.
Toburen said the clinic is open. Prospective patients can schedule an appointment online or stop by the Aliveness Project.
He said the pharmacy will open in early 2025. The pharmacy will also be available to people who need other medications.
