Arsonists targeted a conservative law firm, the Upper Midwest Law Center, and a conservative think-tank, the Center of the American Experiment, in a suburb of Minneapolis.
The Upper Midwest Law Center’s offices were destroyed by the fire. The neighboring think-tank suffered little fire damage, but sprinklers in its offices did render them unusable for about a week.
The Upper Midwest Law Center has annoyed left-wing radicals by challenging restrictions on free speech and by bringing lawsuits opposing racial preferences in court, and by getting the Minnesota courts to block cuts to police departments that violate municipal charters. The Upper Midwest Law Center is an offshoot of a a think-tank, the Center of the American Experiment, whose offices are adjacent to it.
CBS News reports:
A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those who started a fire at an office building housing several conversative businesses.
According to the Golden Valley Fire Department, a fire alarm was reported at 2:11 a.m. Sunday at a building on the 8400 block of Wayzata Boulevard. While fire crews were responding, it was reported that there was an active fire in the building. The fire was put out quickly by firefighters and there were no injuries, officials said.
The office is home to TakeCharge, the Center of the American Experiment and the Upper Midwest Law Center.
According to Kendall Qualls, president of TakeCharge, one of the fires was set on the first floor in the hallway between TakeCharge’s offices and the Center of the American Experiment. The second was set on the third floor either outside or inside the offices of the Upper Midwest Law Center.
Qualls, along with John Hinderaker, president of the Center of the American Experiment, believe the fires were a targeted attack.
“They targeted conservative organizations, they didn’t firebomb the chiropractors or psychologists or the Manufacturers Alliance,” Hinderaker said. “The free flow of ideas does not work when one side resorts to violence. We want these people caught and are willing to offer this reward to make it happen.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said the fire is being investigated as “an act of arson.”
The Upper Midwest Law Center explains:
On Sunday, January 28, the office of the Upper Midwest Law Center was destroyed in what is being investigated as a deliberate act of arson. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and state and local authorities. Thankfully, no one on the UMLC staff was hurt or present at the time of the crime. The suspected arson attack also targeted the offices of the Center of the American Experiment and Take Charge, which are located in the same building. UMLC’s office sustained near-total losses. Pictures of the aftermath are below. As a precautionary measure and in light of the ongoing investigation, the UMLC team is working remotely for the foreseeable future. “We will not be intimidated by this apparent act of domestic terrorism. Our resolve to uphold justice and protect the rights of Minnesotans remains unyielding. Despite the setback, the Upper Midwest Law Center will continue to champion the values of fairness, equality, and freedom for all,” said UMLC Senior Counsel James Dickey. “We are thankful to local fire rescue for their swift action to put out the fire, and to the FBI, ATF, and local authorities for their quick response and dedication to finding the perpetrators. We hope those responsible are brought to justice for this heinous act of violence.” UMLC is working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident. For further updates and information, please follow UMLC on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
