Minneapolis Public Works removes barricades at George Floyd Square

Minneapolis Public Works crews remove barricades from George Floyd Square, also known as the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis on June 3, 2021. The square became a focal point for protests and community organizing following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. For over two years, the intersection was largely controlled by protesters and community members, who established it as a space for remembrance and activism. The removal of these barricades by city officials marked a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to reclaim public space and restore traffic flow. 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 June 2021.