Hennepin County Government Center boarded up before Chauvin trial

The Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis was boarded up in anticipation of the Derek Chauvin trial in March 2021. The building, located at 300 South 6th Street, houses county government offices and courtrooms. Security measures, including plywood coverings on entrances and windows, were implemented due to concerns about potential unrest and protests related to the trial. 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.

Photo taken in February 2021.