Minneapolis Uprising: The Murder of George Floyd
Photography from Minneapolis

Minneapolis Uprising – July 2021

July 1–31, 2021 Minneapolis

July 2021 in Minneapolis unfolded during a summer marked by ongoing protest activity and intensified debate over public safety policy. Protesters organized marches, rallies, and neighborhood events focused on structural reform, police accountability, and the upcoming ballot initiative that would ask voters whether to replace the Minneapolis Police Department with a new Department of Public Safety.

George Floyd Square remained an active protest and memorial space, with volunteers and organizers continuing daily stewardship. Cultural programming, music, and community gatherings sustained visibility at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, reinforcing its role as both a commemorative site and organizing hub.

Across the city, campaign messaging around the proposed charter amendment became more prominent. Protesters and advocacy groups worked to translate sustained protest energy into electoral engagement, framing the coming vote as a decisive moment in the movement’s trajectory.

Key dates
  • Early July 2021 — Summer protests and organizing events continue across Minneapolis.
  • Mid-July 2021 — Public campaigning intensifies around the public safety charter amendment.
  • July 2021 — Continued protest presence and programming at George Floyd Square.
Year Index
The top of the parking ramp that Winston Smith was killed in.Winston Smith was killed by Hennepin and Ramsey County Sheriffs officers who were part of a Federal Task Force on June 3rd. 

On June 10th, Deona Marie was killed when a protester drove his vehicle through barricades setup to protect those protesting the death of Winston Smith.
July 2, 2021 — The top of the parking ramp that Winston Smith was killed in. Winston Smith was killed by Hennepin and Ramsey County Sheriffs officers who were part of a Federal Task Force on June 3rd. 

On June 10th, Deona Marie was killed when a protester drove his vehicle through barricades setup to protect those protesting the death of Winston Smith.
"Wince Marie Peace Garden 4 Ever" written in chalk near where Winston Smith was killed.
July 2, 2021 — "Wince Marie Peace Garden 4 Ever" written in chalk near where Winston Smith was killed.
The Winston Smith Memorial at the spot where he was killed by law enforcement.
July 2, 2021 — The Winston Smith Memorial at the spot where he was killed by law enforcement.
A memorial garden on Lake/Girard in Uptown Minneapolis. The garden was built after the June 3rd law enforcement killing of Winston Smith and the death of Deona Marie 10 days later. Deona was killed when a man drove his vehicle through barricades put in place to protect those protesting the death of Winston Smith. The area has been occupied ever since.
July 2, 2021 — A memorial garden on Lake/Girard in Uptown Minneapolis. The garden was built after the June 3rd law enforcement killing of Winston Smith and the death of Deona Marie 10 days later. Deona was killed when a man drove his vehicle through barricades put in place to protect those protesting the death of Winston Smith. The area has been occupied ever since.
"Outreach Experts" walk the streets of Downtown Minneapolis.
July 3, 2021 — "Outreach Experts" walk the streets of Downtown Minneapolis.
Protesters close down vehicle traffic on streets near the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorials in Uptown Minneapolis.
July 3, 2021 — Protesters close down vehicle traffic on streets near the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorials in Uptown Minneapolis.
Protesters close down the streets near the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorials in Uptown Minneapolis. Winston Smith was killed by Hennepin and Ramsey County Sheriffs officers who were part of a Federal Task Force on June 3rd. 

On June 10th, Deona Marie was killed when a protester drove his vehicle through barricades setup to protect those protesting the death of Winston Smith.
July 3, 2021 — Protesters close down the streets near the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorials in Uptown Minneapolis. Winston Smith was killed by Hennepin and Ramsey County Sheriffs officers who were part of a Federal Task Force on June 3rd. 

On June 10th, Deona Marie was killed when a protester drove his vehicle through barricades setup to protect those protesting the death of Winston Smith.
Winston written on the side of the building next to the Deona Marie memorial.
July 3, 2021 — Winston written on the side of the building next to the Deona Marie memorial.
A "sun dog" at George Floyd Square. Apparently sun dogs are rare in the summer?
July 5, 2021 — A "sun dog" at George Floyd Square. Apparently sun dogs are rare in the summer?
"Wince Way", a protest zone in Uptown Minneapolis following the deaths of Winston Smith on June 3rd, 2021 and Deon Marie 10 days later.
July 5, 2021 — "Wince Way", a protest zone in Uptown Minneapolis following the deaths of Winston Smith on June 3rd, 2021 and Deon Marie 10 days later.
Memorials for Winston Smith at the location he was killed by a Federal Task Force on June 3rd.
July 5, 2021 — Memorials for Winston Smith at the location he was killed by a Federal Task Force on June 3rd.
Firefighters put a dumpster fire out behind the Stella's Fish Cafe. The restaurant has said they suffered $53,000 in damage.
July 6, 2021 — Firefighters put a dumpster fire out behind the Stella's Fish Cafe. The restaurant has said they suffered $53,000 in damage.
Casablanca Foods in South Minneapolis during a rainy evening.
July 6, 2021 — Casablanca Foods in South Minneapolis during a rainy evening.
Signs at George Floyd Square on a rainy night in Minneapolis.
July 6, 2021 — Signs at George Floyd Square on a rainy night in Minneapolis.
Barricades placed at Hennepin and Lagoon in Uptown Minneapolis.
July 7, 2021 — Barricades placed at Hennepin and Lagoon in Uptown Minneapolis.
Barricades at Hennepin Ave and Lagoon Ave in Uptown Minneapolis.
July 8, 2021 — Barricades at Hennepin Ave and Lagoon Ave in Uptown Minneapolis.
Shortly after the "hot rodders" dispersed at Hennepin & Lagoon. The streets were barricaded during protests following Winston Smith being killed by police.
July 8, 2021 — Shortly after the "hot rodders" dispersed at Hennepin & Lagoon. The streets were barricaded during protests following Winston Smith being killed by police.
Minneapolis Police across the street from the "Wince Marie Peace Garden".
July 8, 2021 — Minneapolis Police across the street from the "Wince Marie Peace Garden".
Protesters and who the police call "hot rodders" shut down streets in Uptown Minneapolis. Police moved in hours later and the crowd dispersed. Minneapolis Police declared an unlawful assembly but eventually left without making any arrests.
July 8, 2021 — Protesters and who the police call "hot rodders" shut down streets in Uptown Minneapolis. Police moved in hours later and the crowd dispersed. Minneapolis Police declared an unlawful assembly but eventually left without making any arrests.
Minneapolis Police arrive at the "Wince Marie Peace Garden" after they respond to "hot rodder" and protester street closures a couple blocks away.
July 8, 2021 — Minneapolis Police arrive at the "Wince Marie Peace Garden" after they respond to "hot rodder" and protester street closures a couple blocks away.
Protesters and who the police call "hot rodders" shut down streets in Uptown Minneapolis. Police moved in hours later and the crowd dispersed. Minneapolis Police also declared an unlawful assembly but eventually left without making any arrests.
July 8, 2021 — Protesters and who the police call "hot rodders" shut down streets in Uptown Minneapolis. Police moved in hours later and the crowd dispersed. Minneapolis Police also declared an unlawful assembly but eventually left without making any arrests.
Downtown Minneapolis with wildfire haze.
July 11, 2021 — Downtown Minneapolis with wildfire haze.
Private security clears out the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. Some of the contractors were carrying restraint zip ties while being armed with military fatigue. The space had been a protest zone after law enforcement killed Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed 10 days later when a man drove through barricades into the protesters.
July 14, 2021 — Private security clears out the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. Some of the contractors were carrying restraint zip ties while being armed with military fatigue. The space had been a protest zone after law enforcement killed Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed 10 days later when a man drove through barricades into the protesters.
Minneapolis Police outside what was the Wince Marie Memorial Garden. Private security and police cleared the lot and fencing was put up.July 17, 2021
July 14, 2021 — Minneapolis Police outside what was the Wince Marie Memorial Garden. Private security and police cleared the lot and fencing was put up.July 17, 2021
Private security clears out the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. Some of the contractors were carrying restraint zip ties while being armed with military fatigue. The space had been a protest zone after law enforcement killed Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed 10 days later when a man drove through barricades into the protesters.
July 14, 2021 — Private security clears out the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. Some of the contractors were carrying restraint zip ties while being armed with military fatigue. The space had been a protest zone after law enforcement killed Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed 10 days later when a man drove through barricades into the protesters.
Private security clears out the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. Some of the contractors were carrying restraint zip ties while being armed with military fatigue. The space had been a protest zone after law enforcement killed Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed 10 days later when a man drove through barricades into the protesters.
July 14, 2021 — Private security clears out the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. Some of the contractors were carrying restraint zip ties while being armed with military fatigue. The space had been a protest zone after law enforcement killed Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed 10 days later when a man drove through barricades into the protesters.
Armed security placing cones outside the Seven Points Mall parking garage.
July 14, 2021 — Armed security placing cones outside the Seven Points Mall parking garage.
Signs laying against newly installed barricades outside what was the Winston Smith and Deona Marie Memorials.
July 14, 2021 — Signs laying against newly installed barricades outside what was the Winston Smith and Deona Marie Memorials.
The Deona Marie Memorial after it was cleared in the morning by private security contractors.
July 14, 2021 — The Deona Marie Memorial after it was cleared in the morning by private security contractors.
Private security clears out the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. Some of the contractors were carrying restraint zip ties while being armed with military fatigue.The space had been a protest zone since June 3rd after law enforcement killed Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed 10 days later when a man drove through barricades that were put in place to protect protesters.
July 14, 2021 — Private security clears out the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. Some of the contractors were carrying restraint zip ties while being armed with military fatigue. The space had been a protest zone since June 3rd after law enforcement killed Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed 10 days later when a man drove through barricades that were put in place to protect protesters.
A security guard looks down at those on Lake Street with a pair of binoculars.
July 14, 2021 — A security guard looks down at those on Lake Street with a pair of binoculars.
Security guards and fencing around the parking garage that held memorials for Winston smith and Deona Marie.
July 14, 2021 — Security guards and fencing around the parking garage that held memorials for Winston smith and Deona Marie.
Protesters climb the fence outside the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorials. The memorials had been cleared by private security contractors earlier in the morning.
July 14, 2021 — Protesters climb the fence outside the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorials. The memorials had been cleared by private security contractors earlier in the morning.
A sign reading "Paramilitary contractors accountable to no one are running around uptown now." with "They assaulted someone last night." added to the bottom. The sign was seen after a private security company cleared and started to patrol the Winston Smith and Deona Marie Memorial sites.
July 16, 2021 — A sign reading "Paramilitary contractors accountable to no one are running around uptown now." with "They assaulted someone last night." added to the bottom. The sign was seen after a private security company cleared and started to patrol the Winston Smith and Deona Marie Memorial sites.
A sign reading "We will not be silent so that you can remain comfortable!" on the security fencing around the Winston Smith and Deona Marie Memorials at Lake & Girard.
July 16, 2021 — A sign reading "We will not be silent so that you can remain comfortable!" on the security fencing around the Winston Smith and Deona Marie Memorials at Lake & Girard.
A few candles and flowers remain at the memorial for Deona Knajdek a week after the space was cleared by private security contractors. Knajdek was killed while protesting the law enforcement shooting death of Winston Smith 10 days prior when a car dove through barricades put in place by protesters.
July 22, 2021 — A few candles and flowers remain at the memorial for Deona Knajdek a week after the space was cleared by private security contractors. Knajdek was killed while protesting the law enforcement shooting death of Winston Smith 10 days prior when a car dove through barricades put in place by protesters.
A sign that reads "Wince Way" behind the newly installed security fencing outside the Lake & Girard parking ramp and Wince Marie Garden.
July 22, 2021 — A sign that reads "Wince Way" behind the newly installed security fencing outside the Lake & Girard parking ramp and Wince Marie Garden.
Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.
July 28, 2021 — Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.
A Metro Transit surveillance camera system setup outside the flagship Target Store.
July 28, 2021 — A Metro Transit surveillance camera system setup outside the flagship Target Store.
"Love Hope Unity" written in a parking lot on Franklin Avenue and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis.
July 28, 2021 — "Love Hope Unity" written in a parking lot on Franklin Avenue and Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis.
Chicago Avenue in George Floyd Square during a Canadian wildfire smoke filled evening.
July 29, 2021 — Chicago Avenue in George Floyd Square during a Canadian wildfire smoke filled evening.
"Read the Demand" "Justice for Murphy Ranks!" at George Floyd Square on July 29, 2021.
July 29, 2021 — "Read the Demand" "Justice for Murphy Ranks!" at George Floyd Square on July 29, 2021.
A smoky evening at George Floyd Square during air quality warnings over Canadian wildfire smoke. The wildfires brought the worst on record Minnesota air quality to the state for weeks at a time.
July 29, 2021 — A smoky evening at George Floyd Square during air quality warnings over Canadian wildfire smoke. The wildfires brought the worst on record Minnesota air quality to the state for weeks at a time.