April 2021
Daunte Wright Protests, George Floyd Square and the Chauvin Verdict
April 2021 in Minneapolis was marked by the police killing of Daunte Wright in the nearby suburb of Brooklyn Center and the subsequent unrest that spread across the Twin Cities during the ongoing trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The killing brought immediate protests.
Protests centered around the Brooklyn Center Police Department, where crowds gathered daily calling for accountability and systemic changes to policing. Law enforcement agencies implemented curfews and deployed National Guard units, while officers used crowd-control measures including tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang devices. In Minneapolis, major intersections and corridors again became sites of organized protest activity, with traffic disruptions, barricades, and a visible law enforcement presence shaping movement through the city.
- April 1–10 — The trial of Derek Chauvin continues in downtown Minneapolis under heightened security, with daily testimony drawing national attention.
- April 11 — Daunte Wright is shot and killed by Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop, prompting immediate protests.
- April 12–16 — Demonstrations intensify outside the Brooklyn Center Police Department; curfews are enacted and National Guard units are deployed across the Twin Cities.
- Mid-April — Law enforcement agencies use crowd-control measures during nightly protests; major roadways and intersections are intermittently closed.
- April 20 — Derek Chauvin is found guilty on all counts in the murder of George Floyd, leading to large gatherings and reactions across Minneapolis.
- April 21–30 — Protests continue alongside community gatherings and memorial activities; public discussions focus on policing reforms and accountability.























































































































