Minneapolis Police 5th Precinct with Security Barriers, February 2021

The Minneapolis Police Fifth Precinct is shown on February 19, 2021 surrounded by security barriers. These barriers have been a consistent presence around the precinct since the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, reflecting the heightened security measures in place following widespread protests and civil unrest. 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.