CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THE METRO GANG STRIKE FORCE
FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Several Metro Cities and Counties Soon to be Joined as Defendants
MINNEAPOLIS: A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Metro Gang Strike Force today alleging a
number of Constitutional and Civil rights violations against innocent victims. The complaint states that
many of the victims have been targeted and profiled on the basis of their National Origin, race, and color of
their skin; but the complaint is also filed on behalf of Caucasians and U.S. citizens who have also been
targeted and victimized.
The case against the Metro Gang Strike Force is aimed at those institutions and persons who have
responsibility for and oversight of the Strike Force.
"This is a case of institutional malfeasance", said Randy Hopper, Senior Partner at Zimmerman Reed. "Our
Government has the responsibility and, in fact, the duty, to uphold the Constitution and protect the rights of
individuals who come within its jurisdiction. The Metro Gang Strike Force has clearly operated contrary to
this principle by depriving several hundred of our citizens of their Constitutional and Civil Rights and by
engaging in unjust taking of their money and property."
Mr. Hopper went on to say, "The individuals named as defendants in our complaint, and those institutions
of government which share responsibility for the Strike Force's operation and who will soon be joined with
them, have engaged in a complete derogation of duty by failing to properly train, supervise and manage the
officers on loan to the Metro Gang Strike Force, thereby allowing it to run amok over innocent victims."
The complaint states that the Strike Force engaged in a deliberate, repeated pattern and practice of using
their apparent authority as police officers to extort cash and property from people coming in contact with
the Strike Force. The Plaintiffs seek certification of the class; monetary damages; and, equitable relief in the
form of restitution and replacement damages for stolen property.
The complaint has been filed in the United States District Court in Minnesota by the Minneapolis law Firm,
Zimmerman Reed, P.L.L.P., a nationally recognized law firm which has been a leader in many of the largest
and significant Class Actions over the past 25 years. In addition to Civil Rights litigation, Zimmerman Reed
has been involved in significant class actions including the first class action against the Tobacco industry;
numerous cases involving several thousand people injured by defective medical devices and failed drugs;
major consumer fraud and fraudulent Securities cases; large toxic waste and mass explosion cases; and train
derailments. Since its earliest days of operation, Zimmerman Reed has been a strong advocate for Civil
Rights having filed cases in Federal Courts involving illegal search and seizure and strip searches by police.
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