Fire near Lake Street and Snelling Avenue in Minneapolis behind the Metro Transit Blue Line crossing.

George Floyd Murdered and the Protests That Followed, May 2020

Protests reached the Third Precinct on May 28, four days after Floyd's murder at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue

May 2020 · 208 photographs

2020

May 2020 in Minneapolis was defined by an unprecedented wave of unrest and collective grief following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers 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.

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.
McDonald’s service window in Uptown Minneapolis with a gloved employee at a point-of-sale terminal.View full post: McDonald’s Service Window, Uptown Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — An employee works at a point-of-sale terminal inside a McDonald’s service window in Uptown Minneapolis on May 29, 2020. The restaurant’s windows are boarded, and transactions are conducted through a small opening, reflecting security measures adopted by some businesses during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd.
Uptown Theater entrance with shattered glass on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota.View full post: Uptown Theater Damage, Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — The entrance of the Uptown Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has shattered glass and damaged doors in the early hours of May 29, 2020.
South 10th Street in downtown Minneapolis at sunset, with a music mural and sparse traffic.View full post: S 10th St Sunset, Downtown Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — S 10th Street in downtown Minneapolis is shown at sunset on May 29, 2020, with very light traffic and few people visible. Mid-rise office and commercial buildings line the corridor, and a large mural of musical notation covers the wall of the building at right, while a church spire rises in the distance. The photograph was made during the period of unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd, when parts of the downtown street network were noticeably quieter than usual.
Minneapolis police SUV on South 10th Street beside boarded storefronts in downtown Minneapolis.View full post: Police Car and Boarded Businesses, Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — A Minneapolis Police squad car patrols South 10th Street in downtown Minneapolis on May 29, 2020, passing commercial buildings with plywood covering their ground-floor windows. The boarded storefronts document security measures taken by businesses during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd.
Protesters and stopped traffic on I-94 in Minneapolis at night.View full post: I-94 Protests Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — Protesters and stopped traffic occupy Interstate 94 in Minneapolis on the night of May 29, 2020, during demonstrations following the killing of George Floyd. Photographed from an overpass, the image shows marchers moving along the freeway while cars queue in adjacent lanes under streetlights.
Protesters and backed-up traffic on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis at night.View full post: Protest on I-94 in Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — Protesters and halted traffic fill Interstate 94 in downtown Minneapolis on May 29, 2020, during the fourth day of demonstrations following the killing of George Floyd. The nighttime photograph shows marchers occupying the freeway lanes beneath a pedestrian bridge as vehicles back up along the corridor. I-94 is a major east-west route through Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Protesters and bicyclists on I-94 in Minneapolis at night, with slow-moving cars and a No Justice No Peace sign.View full post: Protesters on I-94, Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — Protesters and bicyclists march along Interstate 94 in Minneapolis on May 29, 2020, during demonstrations after the killing of George Floyd. The freeway, a major route through Minneapolis and Saint Paul, was temporarily occupied as people moved through the traffic lanes carrying signs, including one reading "NO JUSTICE NO PEACE."
Traffic backed up on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis beneath a sign reading “CURFEW IN EFFECT 8PM TO 6AM.”View full post: I-94 Traffic Jam During Minneapolis Curfew
May 29, 2020 — Traffic is backed up on Interstate 94 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, near the 1st Avenue South exit, as an overhead highway message board reads, “CURFEW IN EFFECT 8PM TO 6AM.” The photograph was made on May 29, 2020, during protests following the killing of George Floyd, when state and local officials imposed overnight movement restrictions across Minneapolis and other Twin Cities communities.
Boarded storefronts in downtown Minneapolis marked with BLM and Black Owned graffiti.View full post: Boarded Businesses, Downtown Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — Boarded storefronts in downtown Minneapolis are marked with the spray-painted messages “BLM” and “BLACK OWNED” on May 29, 2020. The plywood covers were installed to protect retail businesses during unrest following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police earlier that week.
Protesters and traffic near the Minneapolis Police 5th Precinct at night in Minneapolis.View full post: Protests at Minneapolis 5th Precinct Night
May 29, 2020 — Protesters and traffic fill the streets near the Minneapolis Police 5th Precinct in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the night of May 29, 2020. The gathering took place during the fourth day of protests following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. The 5th Precinct became one of several police facilities in the city where demonstrators assembled to protest police violence and demand accountability.
Burning car at a Wells Fargo drive-thru in Minneapolis during George Floyd protest unrest.View full post: Car Fire at Wells Fargo, Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — A car burns in the drive-thru lane of a Wells Fargo branch in Minneapolis on May 29, 2020. The fire occurred during overnight protests following the killing of George Floyd, with the bank located across the street from the Minneapolis Police Department’s 5th Precinct.
Burning car outside Wells Fargo on East 31st Street in Minneapolis during George Floyd protests.View full post: Burning Car at Wells Fargo, Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — A car burns outside the Wells Fargo branch on East 31st Street in Minneapolis on May 29, 2020. The fire occurred during the fourth night of protests following the killing of George Floyd, after demonstrators had marched through South Minneapolis. The bank stands across from the Minneapolis Police Department’s 5th Precinct, an area that drew large crowds and repeated unrest that week.
Wells Fargo bank burning on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis on May 29, 2020.View full post: Wells Fargo Bank Fire, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — A Wells Fargo branch on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis burns on the night of May 29, 2020. The bank, across from the Minneapolis Police Department’s Fifth Precinct, was damaged during unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd. Flames are visible through the front windows as fire spreads across the ground-floor banking area.
Fire-damaged Lake Street post office in Minneapolis with broken windows and smoke-stained brick exterior.View full post: Lake Street Post Office Fire, Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — The Lake Street Station post office in South Minneapolis appears here after fire damage during the protests of late May 2020. Broken windows, smoke-stained openings, and a scorched interior are visible along the brick exterior of the United States Postal Service facility on Lake Street near East 31st Street. The fire occurred during the fourth night of unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd while in police custody, and the building was later declared a total loss and rebuilt.
Smoke pouring from Lake Street Station post office in Minneapolis during unrest on May 29, 2020.View full post: Lake Street Station Post Office Fire, Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — The United States Postal Service’s Lake Street Station in South Minneapolis is shown filled with smoke during unrest on May 29, 2020, the fourth night of demonstrations following the killing of George Floyd. Located on East 31st Street, the post office served the surrounding neighborhoods as a local mail-processing and retail facility. The building was later declared a total loss and subsequently rebuilt.
Protesters on Lake Street in Minneapolis at night beneath apartment towers.View full post: Night Protests on Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 29, 2020 — Protesters gather along Lake Street in Minneapolis late on May 29, 2020, during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd. Taken on the fourth night of protests in Minneapolis, the image documents Lake Street as one of the main corridors where marches, rallies, and confrontations unfolded in the days after Floyd’s killing.
Damaged Walgreens on Lake Street in Minneapolis with smoke and boarded windows at night.View full post: Walgreens Fire, Lake Street Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A Walgreens pharmacy and food mart on Lake Street in Minneapolis stands damaged and smoking in the early hours of May 30, 2020. Plywood covers the entrance, windows are broken, and graffiti is visible on the exterior of the one-story commercial building. The store was photographed during the unrest that followed the police killing of George Floyd, when numerous businesses along the Lake Street corridor were damaged or burned.
Commercial building on fire on Lake Street in Minneapolis during unrest after George Floyd's killing.View full post: Lake Street Building Fire, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A commercial building burns on Lake Street in South Minneapolis in late May 2020. The fire occurred during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Lake Street, a major east-west commercial corridor lined with small businesses and services, was heavily damaged during those nights.
Burning building on Lake Street in Minneapolis during George Floyd protests.View full post: Lake Street Building Fire, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A commercial building burns on Lake Street in South Minneapolis in the early hours of May 30, 2020, during protests following the killing of George Floyd. Flames and heavy smoke engulf the structure as a person stands in silhouette on the street in front of the fire. The image was made on the fourth night of unrest, when numerous businesses and buildings along the Lake Street corridor were damaged or destroyed.
Burning excavator on Lake Street in Minneapolis amid fires during George Floyd protests.View full post: Burning Excavator on Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A burning excavator and multiple building fires line Lake Street in Minneapolis during overnight unrest on May 30, 2020, in the days after the killing of George Floyd.
Orange moon over downtown Minneapolis during George Floyd protest unrest.View full post: Orange Moon over Minneapolis Protests
May 30, 2020 — An orange moon rises beside the downtown Minneapolis skyline in Minnesota in the early hours of May 30, 2020, during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd. Visible landmarks include U.S. Bank Stadium at left and the M Health Clinics and Surgery Center in the foreground, with office and medical buildings filling the city center. The moon’s color was likely intensified by smoke and haze hanging over the city as fires burned during that period.
Stone Arch Bridge spanning the Mississippi River with illuminated downtown Minneapolis skyline at night.View full post: Downtown Minneapolis Skyline from the Mississippi Riverfront
May 30, 2020 — The Stone Arch Bridge spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. Built in 1883 as a railroad bridge, the structure is a prominent historic landmark along the riverfront near St. Anthony Falls.
Smoke over Lake Street in Minneapolis during George Floyd protest fires.View full post: Smoke over Lake Street, Minneapolis, May 30, 2020
May 30, 2020 — Smoke rises over the Lake Street area of Minneapolis in the early morning hours of May 30, 2020, as fires burn during protests following the killing of George Floyd. The photograph looks across a South Minneapolis residential and commercial district, with apartment buildings, a church, and neighborhood streets in the foreground and a broad plume of smoke extending across the night sky. Lake Street, a major east-west corridor, sustained extensive fire and property damage during that night of unrest.
Smoke and flames over Lake Street in Minneapolis before dawn on May 30, 2020.View full post: Lake Street Fires, Minneapolis Uprising, May 30, 2020
May 30, 2020 — Fires burn along Lake Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 30, 2020, sending a large plume of smoke over surrounding apartment buildings before dawn. The fires occurred during unrest following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Lake Street is a major commercial corridor in south Minneapolis and sustained extensive damage during the nights of arson and looting that followed the protests.
Smoke over Lake Street in Minneapolis during George Floyd protests.View full post: Minneapolis Uprising Smoke, Lake Street Area
May 30, 2020 — Smoke rises over the Lake Street area of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the early hours of May 30, 2020, during protests and unrest following the killing of George Floyd. A residential high-rise and roadway are visible in the foreground as smoke drifts across the corridor, where multiple commercial buildings were damaged by fire that week. Lake Street became one of the most heavily affected areas in south Minneapolis during the fourth day of demonstrations.
Smoke over Lake Street in Minneapolis as fires burn during George Floyd protest unrest.View full post: Smoke over Lake Street, Minneapolis Uprising
May 30, 2020 — Smoke rises over the Lake Street corridor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the early hours of May 30, 2020, as fires burn during protests following the death of George Floyd. The photograph looks across South Minneapolis at a broad plume spreading above mid-rise residential and institutional buildings. Lake Street, a major commercial artery, sustained extensive fire damage and business losses during the unrest that followed Floyd’s killing by Minneapolis police.
Boarded storefront of Nordstrom Rack at the IDS Center on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.View full post: Plywood Along Nordstrom Rack at the IDS Center After Unrest
May 30, 2020 — Nordstrom Rack occupies ground-floor retail space at the IDS Center on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. The IDS Center, completed in 1972, rises as Minnesota's tallest building and anchors this stretch of the mall with offices and shops. Plywood now covers the storefront's windows in the early hours of May 30, 2020, after protests and unrest followed the killing of George Floyd.
National Guard troops on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis during George Floyd protests.View full post: National Guard on Nicollet Mall during Minneapolis Protests
May 30, 2020 — Minnesota National Guard soldiers stand at an intersection on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis on May 30, 2020, during overnight protests following the death of George Floyd. The troops are positioned outside commercial buildings with plywood covering the windows and doors, reflecting security measures taken as unrest spread through the city. Nicollet Mall is a major downtown pedestrian and transit corridor, and the Guard deployment marked the city and state's emergency response during the fourth day of unrest.
Hagen’s Auto Body on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis with boarded windows and a “WE ARE OPEN” banner.View full post: Hagen’s Auto Body, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, 2020
May 30, 2020 — Hagen’s Auto Body on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis is pictured with its windows and doors boarded on May 30, 2020. The collision repair shop remained lit overnight, with a red “WE ARE OPEN” banner hanging on the brick facade and a message painted on the plywood reading, “WE HAVE BEEN PART OF THIS COMMUNITY FOR 50 YEARS AND WE CARE ABOUT IT.” The photograph was made during the fourth day of protests in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd.
Minnesota National Guard Humvee on Lake Street in Minneapolis during protests after George Floyd's death.View full post: National Guard Humvee on Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A Minnesota National Guard Humvee and a soldier with a riot shield stand on Lake Street in Minneapolis on May 30, 2020, during protests following the death of George Floyd. The Guard was deployed in the city as officials responded to unrest, fires, and damage in commercial corridors including Lake Street. Storefronts, emergency lights, and the largely empty street place the photograph in the overnight security presence that followed several days of demonstrations.
National Guard troops and a fire truck at the Lyn-Lake Speedway on Lake Street in Minneapolis.View full post: National Guard and Fire Truck on Lake Street
May 30, 2020 — National Guard troops and a Minneapolis Fire Department truck are positioned on Lake Street at the Lyn-Lake Speedway station in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the early morning of May 30, 2020. The deployment followed overnight fires and unrest in the city after the killing of George Floyd. National Guard units were sent to secure streets and support emergency access as fire crews responded to active blazes and damaged properties along the corridor.
Minnesota National Guard vehicles block Lake Street at Speedway in Minneapolis as smoke rises behind them.View full post: National Guard at Speedway Fire, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Minnesota National Guard troops and military vehicles block Lake Street near the Speedway station in the LynLake area of South Minneapolis on May 30, 2020. Thick smoke rises behind the intersection as firefighters and emergency vehicles respond during unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd. The deployment was part of the state response to secure major commercial corridors and assist local law enforcement and fire operations overnight.
National Guard truck outside boarded Bryant-Lake Bowl in Uptown MinneapolisView full post: National Guard at Boarded Bryant-Lake Bowl, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A Minnesota National Guard vehicle and soldier stand outside the boarded Bryant-Lake Bowl in Uptown Minneapolis on May 30, 2020. The business, a long-running bowling alley, theater, and restaurant, had covered its street-facing windows with plywood as unrest followed the killing of George Floyd. The photograph shows the LynLake commercial district under military presence in the early morning hours.
Man sweeping broken glass outside a damaged storefront on Lake Street in Minneapolis.View full post: Glass Cleanup on Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A man sweeps broken glass from the sidewalk outside a damaged storefront on Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 30, 2020. The cleanup took place in the aftermath of unrest following the killing of George Floyd, when shattered windows and other damage lined commercial blocks across the corridor.
National Guard vehicles block Lake Street in Minneapolis before sunrise as smoke rises in the distance.View full post: National Guard on Lake Street, Minneapolis Uprising
May 30, 2020 — Minnesota National Guard troops and military vehicles block Lake Street in the LynLake area of Uptown Minneapolis before sunrise on May 30, 2020. The deployment came during protests and unrest following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, with smoke from fires visible in the distance along the commercial corridor. Lake Street, a major east-west route lined with apartments, shops, and businesses, was heavily affected during the unrest and remained under a strong security presence as day broke.
Minnesota National Guard vehicles on Lake Street in Minneapolis as smoke rises near LynLake at dawn.View full post: National Guard on Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Minnesota National Guard vehicles and personnel are stationed on Lake Street in Minneapolis near the LynLake district on May 30, 2020. Smoke rises in the distance at dawn as military and emergency vehicles line the commercial corridor after several nights of unrest following the killing of George Floyd. Lake Street is a major east-west route through South Minneapolis, lined with businesses, housing, and neighborhood landmarks.
Firefighters at the damaged Speedway on Lake Street in Minneapolis as smoke rises from the collapsed roof.View full post: Speedway Fire, Lake Street, Minneapolis Uprising
May 30, 2020 — Minneapolis Fire Department crews work at the damaged Speedway gas station on Lake Street in Minneapolis in the early morning of May 30, 2020. Smoke rises from the collapsed roof area as firefighters move through debris around the convenience store and fuel station. The fire occurred during the fourth day of unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd, when numerous commercial properties along Lake Street were damaged or destroyed.
Burned debris blocks Pillsbury Avenue in South Minneapolis after protests.View full post: Pillsbury Ave Debris, South Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Burned debris and overturned shopping carts block Pillsbury Avenue in South Minneapolis at sunrise on May 30, 2020. The photograph was made on the fourth day of protests following the killing of George Floyd, with smoke still visible in the distance and traffic signals lit above an otherwise quiet street. Scattered trash bins, charred remains, and temporary roadwork barrels show the disruption left on this residential corridor overnight.
Burned dumpster debris on Lake Street in Minneapolis with smoke rising from the ashes.View full post: Burned Dumpster, Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Burned debris from a dumpster lies on Lake Street in Minneapolis on May 30, 2020, with smoke still rising from the remains. The image was made during the unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd, when Lake Street, one of the city’s main commercial corridors, sustained extensive fire and property damage. The photograph documents the immediate aftermath on the street surface, with ash, melted material, and charred refuse left behind.
Smoldering debris blocks Lake Street in Minneapolis after overnight unrest.View full post: Lake Street Fire Debris, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Debris and small smoldering fires block Lake Street in Minneapolis on the morning of May 30, 2020, with boarded storefronts and damaged buildings lining the corridor. The photograph shows the aftermath of unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd, when businesses and streets along this major South Minneapolis commercial route sustained extensive fire and impact damage. Smoke rises from burned material in the roadway as the street remains largely empty at daybreak.
Burned Welcome to Lynlake sign at Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis.View full post: Burned Lynlake Sign, Minneapolis 2020
May 30, 2020 — The “Welcome to Lynlake” sign at Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis appears with smoke staining and fire damage on May 30, 2020. The sign marks the Lyn-Lake commercial district in Uptown Minneapolis, an area that saw extensive unrest and property damage in the days after the murder of George Floyd. A damaged traffic signal beside the sign further documents the condition of the intersection during that period.
George Floyd memorial with candles and portrait at a South Minneapolis home.View full post: George Floyd Memorial, South Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A George Floyd memorial at a South Minneapolis home is shown on May 30, 2020. The display includes a framed portrait of Floyd, lit candles, flowers, and memorial objects arranged beside lanterns along a wooden fence. A button referencing the 1963 March on Washington connects the tribute to the longer history of the civil rights movement in the United States.
Residents with a garden hose outside an apartment building on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis.View full post: O’Reilly Auto Parts Fire, Nicollet Ave
May 30, 2020 — Residents outside an apartment building on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis hold a garden hose on May 30, 2020, during unrest following the murder of George Floyd. The photograph shows two masked people positioned beside the brick building, apparently prepared to spray water toward a nearby fire. Businesses and residential properties along Nicollet Avenue were threatened by fires and damage during that period.
Fire inside the collapsed O'Reilly Auto Parts on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis.View full post: O’Reilly Auto Parts Fire, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — An O'Reilly Auto Parts store on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis burns after being set on fire during unrest in late May 2020. The photograph shows flames inside the collapsing commercial building, with twisted metal panels, exposed wiring, and piles of masonry debris in the foreground. The fire occurred in the days following the murder of George Floyd, when numerous businesses and other structures in the area were damaged or destroyed.
Resident spraying water beside O'Reilly Auto Parts on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis.View full post: Resident Hoses O’Reilly Fire, Nicollet Ave
May 30, 2020 — A resident uses a garden hose beside an O'Reilly Auto Parts store on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis on May 30, 2020. The photograph was made during the unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd, when fires damaged businesses along the corridor. Here, a nearby resident works from behind a fence between adjacent buildings to keep flames from spreading to surrounding properties.
O'Reilly Auto Parts burning on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis, with part of the store collapsed.View full post: O’Reilly Auto Parts Fire, Nicollet Ave Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — The O'Reilly Auto Parts store on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis burns on May 30, 2020, with flames visible inside the building and much of the structure collapsed into the parking lot. The fire took place during the days of unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd.
O'Reilly Auto Parts burns on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis amid rubble and smoke.View full post: O’Reilly Auto Parts Fire, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — The O'Reilly Auto Parts store on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis burns on May 30, 2020, with flames rising from the collapsed structure and debris spread across the parking lot. The fire occurred during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. The image shows extensive damage to the retail building as smoke and active flames continue to consume the site.
O'Reilly Auto Parts burns on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis as smoke rises over parked cars.View full post: O’Reilly Auto Parts Fire, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — An O'Reilly Auto Parts store on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis burns on May 30, 2020, as heavy smoke rises above the block. The fire occurred during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd, when numerous commercial properties in Minneapolis were damaged or destroyed. Parked vehicles line the street in the foreground, including one marked with the words “PEOPLE NOT PROFIT.”
O'Reilly Auto Parts and Family Dollar burn on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis as black smoke rises.View full post: O’Reilly Auto Parts Fire, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — The O'Reilly Auto Parts and Family Dollar store on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis burns on May 30, 2020. Flames and heavy black smoke rise from the retail building as traffic continues along the street in the early morning hours. The fire occurred during the unrest that followed the police killing of George Floyd, when numerous businesses along major commercial corridors in Minneapolis were damaged or destroyed.
Firefighter outside the burning O'Reilly Auto Parts on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis.View full post: Firefighter at O’Reilly Auto Parts Fire, Nicollet Ave
May 30, 2020 — A firefighter walks past the burning O'Reilly Auto Parts store on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis on May 30, 2020. The building is collapsed and still actively burning as crews work in the area during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd. Fires damaged numerous commercial properties across Minneapolis during those days.
Smoke over houses in South Minneapolis at sunrise after overnight fires on May 30, 2020.View full post: Smoke over South Minneapolis at Sunrise
May 30, 2020 — Smoke rises over residential houses in South Minneapolis at sunrise on May 30, 2020. The photograph shows a neighborhood street as heavy black plumes from overnight fires spread above homes and utility lines. The fires followed several days of protests in Minneapolis after the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
Firefighter with hose on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis as crews respond to a store fire.View full post: O’Reilly Auto Parts Fire, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A Minneapolis Fire Department firefighter stands on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis as crews respond to a fire at the O'Reilly Auto Parts store on May 30, 2020. Fire engines and hose lines are positioned along the street in the early morning as firefighters work near the commercial corridor. The fire occurred during the period of civil unrest in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd, when numerous businesses and properties across the city were damaged or burned.
Interstate 35W approaching downtown Minneapolis under smoke haze at daybreak.View full post: I-35W Minneapolis Smoke Haze May 30 2020
May 30, 2020 — Interstate 35W approaching downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, is seen under a layer of smoke at daybreak on May 30, 2020. Overhead signs for downtown exits, East 35th Street, and Interstate 94 place the view along the main north-south freeway corridor leading into the city center. The haze followed overnight fires during protests after the death of George Floyd, and the light traffic contrasts with the volume normally carried on this route.
“I Can’t Breathe” graffiti on an embankment beside Interstate 35W in South Minneapolis under smoke-filled skies.View full post: I Can’t Breathe Graffiti, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — “I Can’t Breathe” is spray-painted on a dirt embankment beside Interstate 35W in South Minneapolis on May 30, 2020. The message appeared in the days after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, during protests and unrest across the city. Morning light falls on nearby houses while smoke lingers over the neighborhood from fires set overnight.
Burning Shell gas station on Lake Street in Minneapolis as smoke rises above the damaged building.View full post: Shell Gas Station Fire, Lake Street Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A fire-damaged Shell gas station on Lake Street in Minneapolis burns on the morning of May 30, 2020. Smoke rises from the convenience store area as traffic passes on the commercial corridor, and a Metro Transit bus stop sign is visible beside the property. The damage followed nights of protests and unrest in the city after the killing of George Floyd.
Firefighters battle a blaze on East Lake Street at Columbus Avenue in Minneapolis as a National Guard soldier stands nearby.View full post: Firefighters battle blaze on Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Firefighters battle a blaze on East Lake Street at Columbus Avenue in South Minneapolis as a Minnesota National Guard soldier and Minneapolis police vehicles stand nearby. The image shows heavy smoke, water streams, and collapsed brick debris from a badly damaged commercial building. Photographed on May 30, 2020, the fire occurred during the unrest following the killing of George Floyd, when parts of the Lake Street corridor sustained extensive damage.
National Guard truck at Chicago Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis amid debris and haze.View full post: National Guard at Chicago Ave & Lake St, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Minnesota National Guard soldiers and a Minneapolis Police vehicle are stationed at Chicago Avenue South and Lake Street in Minneapolis on May 30, 2020. A military transport truck is parked beside the Los Ocampo commercial building, with debris and haze visible along the corridor. The deployment came during the unrest and protests that followed the murder of George Floyd, when National Guard troops and local law enforcement were sent to major intersections and business districts across south Minneapolis.
National Guard troops on Lake Street in Minneapolis beside graffiti-marked storefronts and debris.View full post: National Guard on Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Members of the Minnesota National Guard patrol Lake Street in Minneapolis on May 30, 2020, passing boarded and graffiti-marked storefronts amid debris left on the street. The deployment came after several nights of fires and property damage during protests following the death of George Floyd. Lake Street, a major commercial corridor in south Minneapolis, was among the areas most heavily affected, and National Guard units were sent to support security operations and protect businesses and residents.
National Guard vehicles and a fire truck in Midtown Minneapolis with Midtown Exchange behind smoke at sunrise.View full post: National Guard, Fire Dept. in Midtown Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Minnesota National Guard troops and Minneapolis Fire Department vehicles are positioned in Midtown Minneapolis on May 30, 2020, with the Midtown Exchange building rising through smoke at sunrise in the background. The large brick structure, topped by the “MIDTOWN EXCHANGE” sign, was originally built as a Sears, Roebuck and Company mail-order and retail complex. The deployment came after overnight unrest following the killing of George Floyd, as firefighters responded to active fires and the National Guard supported local authorities.
Smoke over Midtown Exchange on East Lake Street in Minneapolis as National Guard vehicles patrol at sunrise.View full post: Smoke over Midtown Exchange, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — Smoke rises around the Midtown Exchange in south Minneapolis as sunrise lights East Lake Street on May 30, 2020. Minnesota National Guard troops and Minneapolis Fire Department personnel are visible near the Lake Street commercial corridor after overnight fires and unrest following protests over the killing of George Floyd. The Midtown Exchange, originally built in 1928 as a Sears, Roebuck and Company mail-order and retail complex, had been redeveloped as a mixed-use building before the disturbances.
Burned Shell gas station on Lake Street in Minneapolis with smoke rising from the damaged store.View full post: Shell Gas Station Fire, Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A Shell gas station on Lake Street in Minneapolis stands heavily burned on the morning of May 30, 2020, with smoke still rising from the convenience store behind the pump canopy. The damage followed overnight unrest after the killing of George Floyd, which led to fires and destruction along major commercial corridors in south Minneapolis. A Metro Transit bus stop and campaign signs remain in the foreground, situating the station within the everyday streetscape of Lake Street.
Burned Shell gas station on Lake Street in Minneapolis with smoke rising from the gutted store.View full post: Shell Gas Station Fire, Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 30, 2020 — A fire-damaged Shell gas station on Lake Street in Minneapolis is pictured on the morning of May 30, 2020. The convenience store behind the pumps is gutted and still smoking, with parts of the roof and facade burned away. The damage followed nights of unrest in Minneapolis after the murder of George Floyd, when businesses along Lake Street, one of the city’s main commercial corridors, were heavily affected.
Minnesota National Guard vehicle near Midtown Exchange in Minneapolis as firefighters work amid smoke.View full post: National Guard at Minneapolis Midtown Exchange Fires
May 30, 2020 — A Minnesota National Guard vehicle stands on a street near the Midtown Exchange in south Minneapolis as Minneapolis firefighters work amid smoke at daybreak on May 30, 2020. The photograph was made during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd, when fires and heavy emergency response affected commercial corridors across the city. The Midtown Exchange, a large mixed-use redevelopment of the historic Sears, Roebuck and Company building, is visible in the area behind the response.
McDonald’s drive-thru sign in Minneapolis with handwritten early closing notice on May 30, 2020.View full post: Minneapolis McDonald’s Sign: Early Closure
May 30, 2020 — A McDonald’s drive-thru menu board in Minneapolis displays a handwritten notice on May 30, 2020, announcing that the restaurant would close at 6:30 p.m. because of “the recent activity in our city.” Posted over the lower right portion of the menu, the sign states that the location would reopen the following morning at 7 a.m. The temporary closure came during the period of protests and unrest in Minneapolis after the killing of George Floyd, when many businesses altered hours or shut down temporarily.
Street artist painting a George Floyd portrait on boarded storefronts on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis.View full post: Street Artist Painting George Floyd Portrait on Hennepin Ave
May 31, 2020 — A street artist paints a portrait of George Floyd on plywood boarding along Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The temporary panels were installed over storefront windows after unrest and property damage following Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on May 25. Murals and memorial art appeared across the city during this period, using boarded facades as improvised public canvases.
Bryant-Lake Bowl on Lake Street in Minneapolis is boarded with plywood bearing spray-painted messages including "PEOPLE LIVE HERE."View full post: “People Live Here” Spray-Painted on Bryant-Lake Bowl’s Boards
May 31, 2020 — Bryant-Lake Bowl is a bowling alley, theater, and restaurant on Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis. Plywood covers its ground-floor windows, spray-painted with "PEOPLE LIVE HERE" and "DO NOT BURN." The boards went up after unrest broke out along Lake Street following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020.
Fire-damaged Speedway gas station on Lake Street in Minneapolis.View full post: Speedway Gas Station Fire Damage, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — The Speedway gas station on Lake Street in Minneapolis is shown on May 31, 2020, with its convenience store building heavily damaged by fire while the pump canopy and fueling area remain standing. Wet pavement and debris mark the immediate aftermath of firefighting at the site. The damage occurred during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd, which left numerous businesses and buildings burned or damaged along the Lake Street corridor.
Fire-damaged Wells Fargo bank on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis with broken windows and graffiti.View full post: Wells Fargo Bank Fire Damage, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — The Wells Fargo bank building on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis bears fire damage and graffiti on May 31, 2020. Soot blackens the brick facade above a damaged entrance, and broken windows are visible on the upper level. Graffiti on the wall includes the phrases “BURN THE BANK” and “ACAB,” photographed in the days following the killing of George Floyd.
Fire-damaged USPS post office at 110 E. 31st Street in Minneapolis, boarded up with cranes behind it.View full post: Burned USPS Post Office, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — The United States Post Office at 110 E. 31st Street in Minneapolis stands boarded up and fire-damaged on May 31, 2020. Burned sections of the roof and upper facade are visible, while cranes rise behind the building during repair or demolition work. The post office was damaged in unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd and serves the surrounding South Minneapolis neighborhood.
Free food sign and sidewalk supply table in South Minneapolis.View full post: Free Food Table, South Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — A hand-lettered “FREE FOOD” sign in South Minneapolis directs residents to a sidewalk distribution table stocked with canned goods, produce, and other supplies. The sign identifies the Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization, which organized the mutual-aid food table during the unrest following the killing of George Floyd in late May 2020. Set up along a residential street, the table provided basic groceries in an area where normal access to food had been disrupted.
Burned Foot Locker on Lake Street in Minneapolis with a pedestrian passing by.View full post: Burned Foot Locker, Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — The burned Foot Locker storefront on Lake Street in Minneapolis stands damaged on May 31, 2020, with shattered upper windows, a collapsed ground-floor opening, and debris visible inside the retail space. The store was among the businesses affected during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in late May 2020. A pedestrian walks past the fire-damaged building as cleanup and recovery had yet to begin.
Chicago-Lake Liquors boarded up on Lake Street in Minneapolis with graffiti and concrete barriers.View full post: Chicago-Lake Liquors Boarded, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — Chicago-Lake Liquors on Lake Street in Minneapolis stands boarded up on May 31, 2020, with graffiti on the plywood-covered entrance and on a concrete barrier in front of the store. The large corner liquor store, identified by its prominent sign and drive-in customer parking lot, was among many businesses in the area that installed protective coverings after unrest following the killing of George Floyd.
Graffiti-covered car outside a boarded-up US Bank on Lake Street in Minneapolis, with a cyclist passing.View full post: Graffiti Car at US Bank, Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — A graffiti-covered damaged car sits outside a boarded-up US Bank branch on Lake Street in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The image includes the bank’s drive-through area and nearby commercial buildings along the Lake Street corridor, where many properties were closed or secured with plywood after unrest following the police killing of George Floyd. A cyclist passes in the foreground, contrasting with the visible damage and anti-police graffiti left on the car and bank building.
National Guard helicopter with a Bambi bucket over South Minneapolis.View full post: National Guard Helicopter, South Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — A Minnesota National Guard helicopter carrying a Bambi bucket flies over South Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The aircraft was deployed for aerial fire suppression during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd, when fires burned at multiple locations across the city. Photographed from below through tree leaves, the image shows the helicopter in transit with the suspended water bucket visible beneath the fuselage.
Graffiti on a Target store on East Lake Street in Minneapolis.View full post: Graffiti on Target Store, East Lake Street, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — Graffiti covers the exterior of a Target store on East Lake Street in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The markings line the lower walls of the building while the store’s red facade and bullseye logo remain visible above. The site is near the Minneapolis Police Department’s 3rd Precinct, an area heavily affected during protests following the killing of George Floyd.
Bikers outside the burned AutoZone in MinneapolisView full post: Bikers outside the burned AutoZone in Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — Bikers go past the remains of the burned AutoZone building on Minnehaha Ave. The store was the first store to burn during protests that followed the May 25th death of George Floyd.
Anti-racism signs on Minneapolis Police Third Precinct on Lake Street in Minneapolis during George Floyd protests.View full post: Minneapolis Police 3rd Precinct Anti-Racism Sign
May 31, 2020 — Handmade signs reading “White supremacy is a public health crisis. We.Are.The.Cure. Anti-Racism NOW” hang from the Minneapolis Police Third Precinct building on Lake Street in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The precinct became a major focus of protests after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police five days earlier.
Burned Minneapolis Police Third Precinct entrance on Lake Street in Minneapolis after George Floyd protests.View full post: Burned Minneapolis Police Third Precinct, May 31, 2020
May 31, 2020 — The Minneapolis Police Third Precinct building on Lake Street in Minneapolis stands burned and heavily damaged on May 31, 2020. Broken windows, charred exterior surfaces, and debris inside the entrance are visible after the fire during protests that followed the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. The precinct was a local police station, and its destruction became one of the most widely recognized images from the unrest in south Minneapolis.
Fire-damaged Minnehaha Liquors sign on Lake Street in Minneapolis.View full post: Minnehaha Liquors Fire Damage, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — The fire-damaged Minnehaha Liquors sign and facade on Lake Street in Minneapolis are shown on May 31, 2020. The business was burned during the unrest that followed the death of George Floyd on May 25, leaving the storefront’s metal framing exposed and the neon sign partially intact. Lake Street, one of Minneapolis’s main commercial corridors, saw extensive damage to businesses during those days.
Burned El Nuevo Rodeo on Lake Street in Minneapolis with a warning sign and rubble outside.View full post: El Nuevo Rodeo Restaurant Fire, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — The burned remains of El Nuevo Rodeo stand on Lake Street in south Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The restaurant and entertainment venue was heavily damaged by fire during the unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd, leaving its brick exterior blackened and much of the interior reduced to rubble. A handwritten warning sign about unstable walls and caution tape at the sidewalk mark the building as unsafe in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
Fire-damaged interior of Minnehaha Liquors on Lake Street in South Minneapolis.View full post: Minnehaha Liquors Fire Damage, Lake Street
May 31, 2020 — The fire-damaged remains of Minnehaha Liquors on Lake Street in South Minneapolis are shown on May 31, 2020, with the roof burned away and the interior reduced to debris. The store was destroyed during the civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd.
Sunsara Taylor speaks at a protest outside Minneapolis Police 3rd Precinct on Lake Street.View full post: Sunsara Taylor speaks at Minneapolis 3rd Precinct
May 31, 2020 — Sunsara Taylor, a representative of the Revolutionary Communist Party, speaks at a protest outside the Minneapolis 3rd Precinct on Lake Street. This location became a focal point during the Minneapolis Uprising following the killing of George Floyd. The precinct was a central site for demonstrations against police brutality and systemic injustice.
Mourners at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis surround a street memorial at East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.View full post: George Floyd Square Memorial, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — George Floyd Square at East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis is pictured on May 31, 2020, with mourners and visitors gathered around a memorial of flowers, candles, and handwritten messages in the street. The intersection became a center of remembrance and protest after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020. Chalked statements on the pavement and offerings placed around the crossroads document how the site was being used as a community-maintained memorial in the days following his death.
Police Chief Medaria Arradondo speaks with residents at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis.View full post: Police Chief Arradondo at George Floyd Square
May 31, 2020 — Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo speaks with residents and demonstrators at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The gathering took place at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and East 38th Street, where protests and memorial activity followed the killing of George Floyd days earlier. Arradondo’s visit, seen here with other uniformed officers and members of the public, came during a period of sustained scrutiny of the Minneapolis Police Department and demands for reform.
Police Chief Medaria Arradondo at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis amid a masked crowd.View full post: Police Chief Arradondo at George Floyd Square
May 31, 2020 — Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo stands in a crowd at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. George Floyd Square, at Chicago Avenue and East 38th Street, became a gathering place for memorials and protests after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020. Arradondo appears wearing a face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic as residents, activists, and media remained gathered at the site in the days after Floyd’s death.
Woman painting "Black Lives" on the street at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis.View full post: Woman Paints Black Lives Matter at George Floyd Square
May 31, 2020 — A woman paints the words “Black Lives” on the pavement at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The site, at the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, became a gathering place for memorials and protest activity after the killing of George Floyd. Flowers and chalk markings visible around her reflect the informal tributes that covered the street during the early days of the memorial.
George Floyd mural and memorial at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis with flowers and protest signs.View full post: George Floyd Mural & Memorial, Minneapolis
May 31, 2020 — The George Floyd mural and memorial at George Floyd Square in South Minneapolis cover the side of the Cup Foods building where Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020. The painted tribute shows his portrait framed by the words “George Floyd” and “I Can Breathe Now,” with the names of other people killed by police written behind him. Flowers, candles, signs, and handwritten messages left at the base of the wall document the site’s role as a public place of mourning and protest in the days after his death.
Street medic at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis during protests, wearing a tan backpack with a MEDIC patch.View full post: Street Medic at George Floyd Square Protest
May 31, 2020 — A street medic stands at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020, identified by a "MEDIC" patch on a tan backpack. The square, at the former intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, became a central gathering place after the murder of George Floyd six days earlier. Street medics worked independently during the protests to provide first aid and basic medical support to people in the area.

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