A business that supported the BLM movements and the autonomous zone “CHOP” has filed a lawsuit against Seattle over the extensive property damage caused by rioters.
According to KIRO-FM reporter Sam Campbell, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, a Seattle-based chain, filed the suit against the city for allowing rioters to form the BLM autonomous zone. The business accused the city of abandoning the area and leaving it unchecked by the police. The lawsuit claimed that the city’s neglect left the area inaccessible to the public and unserved by fire and emergency health services.
NEW: Molly Moon’s Ice Cream is suing the City of Seattle because of losses tied to CHOP.
The ice cream maker accuses the city of supporting and encouraging “a hostile occupation” of the neighborhood surrounding their Pine Street store. pic.twitter.com/SPxjOX9kNO
— Sam Campbell (@HeySamCampbell) June 8, 2023
“The City’s decision subjected businesses, employees, and residents of that neighborhood to extensive property damage, public safety dangers, and an inability to use and access their properties,” the lawsuit stated.
Despite thesevere damage sustained by the business, CEO of Molly Moon’s, Molly Moon Neitzel, told Fox News Digital that the business maintains support for BLM and noted that it does not seek to undermine the CHO participants.
The company appears to be seeking an unspecified amount in damages pending a trial.
Despite laying blame at the city’s feet, the suit also makes clear the company “supports the free-speech rights of many of those who gathered on Capitol Hill” who then formed CHOP.
— Sam Campbell (@HeySamCampbell) June 8, 2023
“The lawsuit filed on Wednesday, June 7 is not meant to undermine that important message,” Neitzel said. “It’s seeking compensation for the significant revenue losses and team morale impacts we experienced during and for many months after CHOP caused by the City of Seattle’s decision to affirmatively create and assist the CHOP occupation of Capitol Hill, to abandon the police precinct and to stop responding to public safety needs in our beloved Capitol Hill community.”
Molly’s lawsuit is one of several others against the city for failing to protect residents and businesses from damages and death resulting from CHOP.
Antonio Mays, Sr., whose teenage son was fatally shot in the CHOP zone, sued Seattle, claiming that the city was aware of the violence perpetrated in the city but did nothing. Mays claimed the city had abandoned the zone without plans to provide essential services.
Mays’ son, —Antonio Mays, Jr.— had traveled down from California to participate in what he thought was a peaceful BLM protest.
