Flickr.com, Fountain, Hennepin County Government Center I am in possession of a press release which announces a lawsuit by Alfred "Al" Flowers against City Councilmember Don Samuels...
The document I have bears no author, address or phone number but was forwarded to some members of the press. A member of the press forwarded it to me, and I gave that member of the press some information...including the fact I was standing just a few feet from the "altercation" between Flowers and Samuels. I never saw Samuels elbow Flowers or step on his feet. I did see Flowers give Samuels a quick, hard shove while Samuels had his back very deliberately turned on Flowers. I saw police remove Flowers, who was uncooperative and argumentative with police, and was physically removed by officers.
In any case, here is the press release:
Minneapolis City Council Member Don Samuels Sued
Again
For Violation Of First Amendment Rights
October 2005: Alfred Flowers sued Don Samuels for getting Flowers suspended from hosting television shows at Minneapolis Television Network. Flowers had criticized Samuels, who was running for re-election that year. Flowers prevailed in November 2007, when a federal jury awarded him punitive damages against Samuels. Punitive damages are designed to deter future violations.
But according to Flowers, it has not been enough to deter Samuels.
Samuels is running again. This time, according to witnesses, Samuels physically accosted Flowers to try to prevent him from speaking out on an important issue.
Similar to some 2005 allegations, the 2009 complaint essentially alleges that Samuels got others to do his bidding: instead of taking Samuels to task, police who arrived physically pushed Flowers out of the meeting--yet Samuels was allowed to remain,police said, due to his "status."
Flowers said, "this time, it's necessary to seek an injunction, to prevent Samuels, and those who do his bidding at the City of Minneapolis, from abusing our rights."
The document then announces a "Press Conference" at the Hennepin County Government Center, 2nd Floor--by fountain, for today, Thursday, January 22, 2009, 10:00 a.m. and promises "Flowers, his legal counsel, and several witnesses will be present."
Gee, I was a witness, and nobody called me.
The document concludes, "Copies of the complaint that initiated the lawsuit will be available."
un-freaking-believable!
ReplyDelete(I'm thinking I need to make that my standard comment on JNS blog)
This is really stupid stuff. I to was at the press conference and saw all push Mr. Samuels.
ReplyDeleteThere's another piece to this puzzle. The attorney representing Mr. Flowers is trying very hard to make a name. This abuse of justice and trying to validate this on the 1st Amendment is sad.
Al - do you think you can pay back the loan from the Empowerment Zone dollars or even pay the bill for work done on the SES application for you and the Minneapolis Urban League?
This is like a soap opera. The sad fact is that the good work that neighborhood associations do is not getting done. People need to set aside their egos and start working together. Al Flowers need to grow up and get a life.
ReplyDeleteDon Allen makes a good point - Jill Clark I think her name is - she just tried to run for a higher court but didnt get the votes needed. She's made a pretty penny from Al Flowers. Can't lawyers be held liable for frivilous law suits?
ReplyDeleteJill Clark is a bottom feeding, grandstanding blowhard. What do you expect from someone who represented Philander Jenkins
ReplyDeleteWith all this said, I don't see Al Flowers, Don Samuels or JACC doing any business with a Black PR firm that could make this all go away in 10 days!
ReplyDeleteMy phone has not rang!
But I have to remember - Blacks don't do business with Blacks in North Minneapolis.
Hey Don Allen, I think this is bigger than your PR firm - it's not just a matter of this one instance - Al Flowers needs to be learn that society isn't going to cower anymore - can your PR firm make him realize that?
ReplyDeleteI was at a meeting at the Urban League about two years ago when Jill Clark said to a crowd of people not to hire black attorneys to represent them on claims against the City, that they ahould hire her because the judges are too racist to listen to black attorneys.
ReplyDeleteApparently, Al Flowers is all to willing to listen to Jill Clark, but then degrade anyone else who does not support black-owned businesses
YOU PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THE REAL ALFRED FLOWERS. I WAS ALSO A VICTIM OF HIS HABITUAL LAW SUITS. THE MAN WILL NOT STOP SUING TILL HE GETS A BIG HUNK OF MONEY, AND MAYBE NOT EVEN THEN.
ReplyDeleteThanks for post. It’s really informative stuff.
ReplyDeleteI really like to read.Hope to learn a lot and have a nice experience here! my best regards guys!