Minneapolis Police 2nd Precinct Security Ahead of Chauvin Trial

Security fencing and concrete barriers surround the Minneapolis Police 2nd Precinct in northeast Minneapolis on February 23, 2021. This measure was implemented in anticipation of the Derek Chauvin murder trial in 2021. The precinct building itself, constructed in 1911, has served as a law enforcement facility for over a century. The heightened security reflects the significant public attention and potential for unrest surrounding the trial, which followed the murder of George Floyd. 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.