Filed Date: June 2, 2020
Closed Date: Sept. 15, 2021
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This class-action lawsuit was brought on June 2, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota under § 1983. The suit arose out of the protests that engulfed the nation following the police killing of George Floyd in May of 2020. Defendants in this case were the City of Minneapolis and John Does 1-100, one of whom was a police officer who allegedly pepper sprayed the plaintiff. The complaint alleged that Minneapolis law enforcement used tactics during these protests that violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Specifically, the complaint claimed that the police used excessive force and retaliation against protesters in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, and that attacks on the protesters were violations of free speech and free assembly under the First Amendment. It sought at least $50,000 in monetary damages plus interest, a temporary restraining order, a permanent injunction, and attorney's fees and costs of the suit. Plaintiffs were represented by private counsel.
On June 3, 2020, the case was assigned to Judge David S. Doty and referred to Magistrate Judge Becky R. Thorson.
The court granted the city's motion to dismiss with prejudice on September 15, 2021. Judge Doty issued a summary order, but the city's motion suggests several failings in plaintiff's complaint. For example, because the complaint lacked any pleaded facts tying the pepper spraying officer to conduct of the city, plaintiff essentially relied on respondeat superior—a theory of liability that is not cognizable under § 1983 municipal liability. Also, plaintiff had failed to plead standing, for herself or her putative class, to seek equitable relief.
This case is closed.
Summary Authors
Jack Hibbard (6/23/2020)
Jordan Katz (5/10/2022)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17316168/parties/williams-v-minneapolis-city-of-the/
Doty, David Singleton (Minnesota)
Madgett, David S (Minnesota)
Enslin, Sharda R (Minnesota)
Robertson, Heather Passe (Minnesota)
Sarff, Kristin R. (Minnesota)
Doty, David Singleton (Minnesota)
Thorson, Becky R. (Minnesota)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17316168/williams-v-minneapolis-city-of-the/
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:10 a.m.
State / Territory: Minnesota
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 2, 2020
Closing Date: Sept. 15, 2021
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
A woman protesting the killing of George Floyd
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Mooted before ruling
Defendants
City of Minneapolis (Minneapolis, Hennepin), City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Constitutional Clause(s):
Unreasonable search and seizure
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Defendant
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General: