Minneapolis: George Floyd Square Reopened to Traffic

City employees began reopening George Floyd Square to vehicle traffic on June 3, 2021, nearly a year after the intersection was closed following the murder of George Floyd. The square, located at the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, became a focal point for protests against racial injustice and police brutality. It was transformed into a community space with memorials, art, and gardens, serving as a symbol of resistance and a gathering place for activism. On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered 46-year-old George Floyd during an arrest outside Cup Foods at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis. Video recorded by bystanders showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes while Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Three other Minneapolis police officers — J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao — were also present during the arrest and later faced criminal charges for their roles in Floyd’s death. Floyd’s murder sparked protests and civil unrest across Minneapolis and around the world, leading to widespread demonstrations against police violence, major policy debates on policing, and the conviction of Chauvin on murder and manslaughter charges in 2021.