Minneapolis, MN
City of Minneapolis, Jaleel Stallings reach $1.5M settlement
The Metropolis of Minneapolis has agreed to pay $1.5 million to Jaleel Stallings, a St. Paul veteran who sued the town after being acquitted of eight felony costs when he shot in self-defense at Minneapolis cops through the George Floyd protests.
The settlement covers prices and attorneys’ charges, in response to court docket paperwork, although the town won’t admit fault or take any duty for the incident as a part of the settlement with Stallings.
The town council must approve the ultimate settlement.
Stallings was acquitted by a jury final summer season for the fees after proof offered immediately contradicted accounts offered by police and laid out by prosecutors. Stallings, who was protesting the demise of George Floyd on Might 30, 2020, stated he did not know the folks firing plastic bullets at him from an unmarked cargo van have been police, so he fired again.
A curfew had been declared and Gov. Tim Walz and different state leaders had warned about white supremacists and others wandering round Minneapolis to instigate violence. Stallings was conscious of this, which is why he armed himself (he’s legally permitted to hold), court docket paperwork clarify.
As soon as Stalling realized it was police, he laid his weapon down and laid down on the bottom. Surveillance video and bodycam footage exhibits SWAT officers kick, punch and knee Stallings repeatedly within the face and head after he had already surrendered. Officers initially claimed that he had resisted arrest, with a information launch describing it as a “wrestle.”
Stallings suffered a fracture close to his eye, in addition to cuts and bruises.
The incident occurred simply 5 days after Floyd was killed by Officer Derek Chauvin on thirty eighth Road and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis. Police had been driving across the space that night time, trying to regain management of a high-tension metropolis.
The SWAT workforce concerned with Stallings have been driving in an unmarked cargo van, firing 40-mm marking rounds at civilians out after curfew. Physique digicam footage confirmed officers speaking about “searching” protesters. That is once they ultimately beat Stallings and one other particular person he was with after Stallings fired his weapon again at them. He beforehand said that he “purposely” missed them.
He instructed the Minnesota Reformer on Tuesday that even with the settlement being “nice,” he nonetheless felt unhappy.
“I didn’t go into the civil swimsuit with the intention of getting a test — I wished justice and accountability, similar to I needed to face,” Stallings stated. “I want to see all events concerned be held to some stage of accountability as nicely.”
No Minneapolis Police Division officer has been formally disciplined for his or her actions through the Might 2020 riots as of today, although one feminine officer was disciplined for talking to a reporter anonymously.
It’s nonetheless the most recent in an more and more lengthy line of settlement funds the town is paying out to civilians for actions by police through the protests, which noticed numerous peaceable protesters and journalists injured by marking rounds.
Mary Moriarty, a former Hennepin County public defender who’s now working for Hennepin County Legal professional, reminded the general public on Twitter Tuesday that there has nonetheless been no reason Stallings was charged with tried homicide.
“Do not forget that the Hennepin County Legal professional filed tried homicide costs towards Mr. Stallings, requested for top bail to maintain him in jail till his trial, and, after a jury discovered him not responsible, tried to maintain the video from turning into public,” she stated.
“We nonetheless don’t have any clarification from the Hennepin County Legal professional about his resolution to cost Mr. Stallings and never the police who assaulted him.”
A spokesperson for the Hennepin County Legal professional’s Workplace instructed Convey Me The Information final 12 months the workplace by no means objected to releasing the footage, saying the video needed to be obtained from the Minneapolis Police Division by way of the Metropolis Legal professional’s Workplace.
Final month, the Minnesota Division of Human Rights discovered after an virtually two-year investigation that there’s possible trigger that the Metropolis of Minneapolis and the police division has engaged in an unlawful “sample or apply of race discrimination” over a interval of at the very least a decade.
Minneapolis, MN
Prince's 'Purple Rain' House in Minneapolis Coming to Airbnb
Prince fans have a chance to stay in his famous “Purple Rain” house in Minneapolis, because it’s heading to Airbnb … in celebration of the movie and soundtrack’s 40th anniversary.
The late singer bought the place back in 2015 and it’s been closed to the public ever since … but now it’s finally opening its doors, courtesy of a couple members of Prince’s Revolution bandmates.
Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are hosting the overnight stay, and the lucky guests will be able to spend a night in the life of The Kid.
Airbnb tells us the “Purple Rain” house is newly restored and decked out with pieces and memorabilia from Prince’s personal collection … including a closet full of his most legendary outfits.
The home’s downstairs is adorned with purple velvet wallpaper, and there’s a vintage 1980s stereo loaded with songs inspired by Prince.
The spa looks straight out of the “When Doves Cry” music video … complete with a claw-foot tub and stained-glass windows … plus a plush, purple robe and some lavender bath bombs.
Inside the music lounge, guests can play the drums, shred the guitar, tickle the ivories and sing the “Purple Rain” chorus along with pre-recorded audio from Prince himself.
Prince’s bedroom looks just like it does in “Purple Rain” … and it’s decked out with his personal tape collection — remember those things?!? — plus one of Prince’s original demo recordings.
Folks can request to book the “Purple Rain” house on Airbnb starting October 2 at 6 AM PT through October 6 at 11:59 PM PT … and guests will be randomly selected.
Good luck!!!
Minneapolis, MN
MPD adds 23 new officers, including first Somali woman and non-citizen
Somali-American woman sworn in as MPD officer
City leaders say the years-long effort to rebuild the Minneapolis Police Department, while not over, is starting to be seen and felt—nearly two dozen more officers, including new firsts, are on the force following a graduation ceremony.
“Just as they’re about to take their oaths today, before all of you and before God, I know that I have a sacred obligation to do that all I can for them,” MPD Chief Brian O’Hara said at the ceremony. “I pledge to you tonight that I will do everything within my power to take care of them.”
Now part of the rank-and-file are 11 recruits and 12 lateral officers who are joining from other agencies, some with more than a decade of experience. Of the recruits is the first-ever Somali woman, Ikran Mohamed, and permanent resident, Lesly Vera, for the department.
A permanent resident who is a non-citizen can be part of the department now due to a recent law change, Chief O’Hara said. Officer Vera said she moved to Minneapolis from Mexico when she was 4 and has called it home since.
“I didn’t see anybody that really looked like me, Latina,” Vera said about her drive to become a police officer. “I want to have that face for my people.”
The chief is standing firm behind his new officer.
“There may be people who question it, but that’s completely ridiculous. There’s, like I mentioned, there is a history in this country of people immediately on arrival to the country, enlisting in the military and serving,” O’Hara said, adding, “Somebody like [Officer Vera], who has been here essentially her entire life, absolutely is entitled to protect her community in the same way that anyone else here has, and we’re honored to have her.”
Her colleague, Officer Mohamed, with a similar message about her next big chapter in life.
“This is what I wanted to do, and it was very challenging. That’s why I’m here. And I want to be that somebody, [to] be a role model for girls who look like me. So they can say, I can do it too,” Mohamed said.
Mayor Jacob Frey feels the work they’ve been putting in to build up the department – not just in numbers, but culture – is starting to be seen and felt.
“It’s moving. It’s emotional. I mean, I talked about the hope in the room, from a personal standpoint as mayor of the city, it gives me a lot of hope. Our police department is looking more and more like the communities that we are charged with protecting and serving,” Frey said.
Also part of the graduation was four new Minneapolis Park Police Officers.
Minneapolis, MN
First look at Minneapolis' proposed rules for cannabis businesses
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minneapolis City Council has released its proposed restrictions on cannabis businesses in the city, as the state moves into the next steps of recreational marijuana legalization.
What we know
The city is working to update its zoning for cannabis businesses, as licenses are issued in the coming months in Minnesota.
City staff have proposed a series of restrictions for businesses.
- Dispensaries must be a minimum of 500 feet from schools and 500 feet from other dispensaries.
- Cannabis businesses can’t grow plants outdoors.
- Cannabis will also face restrictions on odors.
- Cannabis manufacturing will only be allowed in commercial and mixed-use areas – similar to breweries.
Context
Earlier this month, the state met with cities to provide guidance on cannabis restrictions that cities can implement under the new state law.
Just last week, the City of St. Paul passed a similar set of restrictions on cannabis businesses.
What’s next?
The proposed zoning restrictions are still in the early stages of consideration and need further approval from the council.
Currently, the Office of Cannabis Management expects to finalize its draft rules for businesses in early 2025. The licensing process is expected to start in 2025 after the rules are in place. Currently, cannabis sales are only allowed on tribal lands.
-
News1 week ago
Secret Service Told Trump It Needs to Bolster Security if He Keeps Golfing
-
Business1 week ago
U.S. Steel C.E.O. Says Nippon Deal Will Strengthen National Security
-
Politics1 week ago
New House Freedom Caucus chair reveals GOP rebel group's next 'big fight'
-
News1 week ago
Toplines: September 2024 Inquirer/Times/Siena Poll of Pennsylvania Registered Voters
-
News1 week ago
Disney trips meant for homeless NYC students went to school employees' families
-
Politics1 week ago
Biden admin moves to reinstate Trump-era rule, delist gray wolves from endangered species list
-
Politics1 week ago
Dem lawmakers push bill to restore funding to UN agency with alleged ties to Hamas: 'So necessary'
-
World1 week ago
What’s South Africa’s new school language law and why is it controversial?