Photography from Minneapolis

Minneapolis Uprising – May 2020

May 1–31, 2020 Minneapolis

May 2020 in Minneapolis was defined by an unprecedented wave of civic outrage, direct action, and collective grief following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020. Within hours of video of Floyd’s death spreading widely, thousands of residents gathered in south Minneapolis and transformed public space into sites of protest and memorialization. What began as impromptu demonstrations rapidly escalated into sustained mass protests that drew international attention to systemic racism and police brutality.

Over the following days, demonstrations drew tens of thousands of participants and included both peaceful marches and significant confrontations with law enforcement. Crowds occupied major corridors, demanded accountability, and called for structural reform of policing. During the final week of May, some protest activity escalated into widespread civil disorder including arson, looting, and clashes with police, resulting in extensive property damage, injuries, and emergency declarations as state and National Guard resources were deployed.

The intersection at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue quickly became a memorial and gathering space, marked by flowers, murals, signs, and community presence. Across Minneapolis, boarded storefronts, burned structures, and volunteer cleanup efforts reshaped the visual landscape of the city within days. May stands as a pivotal chapter in Minneapolis history — a period of intense upheaval that catalyzed sustained local organizing and a broader national movement demanding racial justice and fundamental change in public safety policy.

Key dates
  • May 25, 2020 — George Floyd is murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, triggering immediate public outrage and demonstrations.
  • May 26, 2020 — Protests begin in south Minneapolis near 38th Street and Chicago Avenue and expand across the city.
  • May 27–29, 2020 — Civil unrest escalates with widespread arson, looting, and confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement throughout Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
  • May 28, 2020 — The Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct building is overtaken and set on fire during nighttime demonstrations.
  • May 29–30, 2020 — Emergency declarations and National Guard deployments occur as unrest spreads and significant property destruction is reported across commercial corridors.
  • Late May 2020 — The site at 38th Street & Chicago evolves into a sustained memorial and community gathering space.
Built in Minneapolis
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