Minneapolis Uprising: The Murder of George Floyd
Photography from Minneapolis

Minneapolis Uprising – September 2021

September 1–30, 2021 Minneapolis

September 2021 in Minneapolis saw heightened protest activity and intensified campaigning as Election Day approached. Protesters held rallies and marches advocating for changes to the city charter, while opponents organized counter-events emphasizing different approaches to public safety.

George Floyd Square remained active with gatherings that connected memorial practice with ongoing political advocacy. The intersection continued to serve as a visible reminder of the movement’s origins and its evolving objectives.

The month was defined by public debate, visible campaign signage, and sustained protest presence in key corridors across the city.

Key dates
  • Early September 2021 — Campaign rallies and protest events increase in frequency.
  • Mid-September 2021 — Public debates intensify over the proposed Department of Public Safety model.
  • September 2021 — Continued protest gatherings at George Floyd Square.
Year Index
Protesters gather on what was the 3rd month anniversary from when Winston Smith was killed by law enforcement at the top of the parking ramp.
September 3, 2021 — Protesters gather on what was the 3rd month anniversary from when Winston Smith was killed by law enforcement at the top of the parking ramp.
A poster stuck to a street poll in Minneapolis referencing the burning of the third precinct in May 2020.
September 3, 2021 — A poster stuck to a street poll in Minneapolis referencing the burning of the third precinct in May 2020.
Basketball Hoop at Bryant Square Park in South Minneapolis.
September 3, 2021 — Basketball Hoop at Bryant Square Park in South Minneapolis.
A vigil is held for Winston Smith who was killed by law enforcement 3 months earlier on this day.
September 3, 2021 — A vigil is held for Winston Smith who was killed by law enforcement 3 months earlier on this day.
A vigil on the 3 months anniversary of the law enforcement shooting death of Winston Smith.
September 3, 2021 — A vigil on the 3 months anniversary of the law enforcement shooting death of Winston Smith.
Sunflowers grow inside the barbed wire security fence at the Minneapolis Police Third Precinct.
September 5, 2021 — Sunflowers grow inside the barbed wire security fence at the Minneapolis Police Third Precinct.
Sunflowers and a George Floyd Square "No Justice No Streets" yard sign seen in South Minneapolis.
September 5, 2021 — Sunflowers and a George Floyd Square "No Justice No Streets" yard sign seen in South Minneapolis.
Say Their Names Cemetery in South Minneapolis near George Floyd Square.
September 5, 2021 — Say Their Names Cemetery in South Minneapolis near George Floyd Square.
Poster pasted to electrical boxes on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis.
September 5, 2021 — Poster pasted to electrical boxes on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis.
Sunset on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis.
September 6, 2021 — Sunset on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis.
A sign leading to the Midtown Greenway in South Minneapolis.
September 6, 2021 — A sign leading to the Midtown Greenway in South Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis Police 5th Precinct continues to be behind security fencing and barbed wire.
September 6, 2021 — The Minneapolis Police 5th Precinct continues to be behind security fencing and barbed wire.
The George Floyd Memorial at George Floyd Square.
September 6, 2021 — The George Floyd Memorial at George Floyd Square.
Lawn clipping bags used as barricades after the city cleared out barricades at 39th/Chicago Ave.
September 6, 2021 — Lawn clipping bags used as barricades after the city cleared out barricades at 39th/Chicago Ave.
Overgrowth outside a former United States Post Office in South Minneapolis. The Post Office was destroyed during unrest over the murder of George Floyd.
September 8, 2021 — Overgrowth outside a former United States Post Office in South Minneapolis. The Post Office was destroyed during unrest over the murder of George Floyd.
Nail and Beauty Skin Care with boards as seen in South Minneapolis. Sign that reads "We are remodeling".
September 9, 2021 — Nail and Beauty Skin Care with boards as seen in South Minneapolis. Sign that reads "We are remodeling".
A poster hanging in a storefront asking for help in solving shootings of 3 children during the Spring of 2021 in North Minneapolis. 6-year old Aniya Allen, 9-year old Trinity Ottoson-Smith and 10-year old Ladavionne Garret Jr. Trinity and Aniya died of their injuries.
September 9, 2021 — A poster hanging in a storefront asking for help in solving shootings of 3 children during the Spring of 2021 in North Minneapolis. 6-year old Aniya Allen, 9-year old Trinity Ottoson-Smith and 10-year old Ladavionne Garret Jr. Trinity and Aniya died of their injuries.
The parking garage at Lake & Girard still on lock down after protests during the summer over the law enforcement shooting death of Winston Smith.
September 10, 2021 — The parking garage at Lake & Girard still on lock down after protests during the summer over the law enforcement shooting death of Winston Smith.
Memorial for Dameon “Murphy Ranks” Chambers. Chambers was killed on Juneteenth 2020.
September 10, 2021 — Memorial for Dameon “Murphy Ranks” Chambers. Chambers was killed on Juneteenth 2020.
Street racers take over a parking lot near Bde Maka Ska in South Minneapolis.
September 12, 2021 — Street racers take over a parking lot near Bde Maka Ska in South Minneapolis.
A "Don't Rank Frey" sticker on a pole outside the parking garage where Winston Smith was killed by law enforcement in June, 2021.
September 13, 2021 — A "Don't Rank Frey" sticker on a pole outside the parking garage where Winston Smith was killed by law enforcement in June, 2021.
A flyer for The Unplugging by New Native Theatre at the site of the former Gandhi Mahal Site that burned down during unrest.
September 13, 2021 — A flyer for The Unplugging by New Native Theatre at the site of the former Gandhi Mahal Site that burned down during unrest.
Moon Palace Books storefront a few doors down from the former Minneapolis Police Third Precinct.
September 13, 2021 — Moon Palace Books storefront a few doors down from the former Minneapolis Police Third Precinct.
"George Floyd" written on a retaining wall in South Minneapolis.
September 14, 2021 — "George Floyd" written on a retaining wall in South Minneapolis.
A quote by Fred Rogers found at George Floyd Square.
September 14, 2021 — A quote by Fred Rogers found at George Floyd Square.
A map with pins signifying the locations of those who have visited the square.
September 14, 2021 — A map with pins signifying the locations of those who have visited the square.
Letters from the Uptown Theater marquee after they were taken down as Landmark Theater moved out after closing during the pandemic.
September 20, 2021 — Letters from the Uptown Theater marquee after they were taken down as Landmark Theater moved out after closing during the pandemic.
"Be Kind... Stay Brave!" We are all George Floyd" written on the side of a building on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis.
September 20, 2021 — "Be Kind... Stay Brave!" We are all George Floyd" written on the side of a building on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis.
Revolution written on a wall of a building in downtown Minneapolis.
September 20, 2021 — Revolution written on a wall of a building in downtown Minneapolis.
A sticker reading "If the kids are united they never will be divided" found in South Minneapolis.
September 21, 2021 — A sticker reading "If the kids are united they never will be divided" found in South Minneapolis.
A Sheila Nezhad yard sign in South Minneapolis on a rainy evening.
September 21, 2021 — A Sheila Nezhad yard sign in South Minneapolis on a rainy evening.
George Floyd Memorial at George Floyd Square.
September 28, 2021 — George Floyd Memorial at George Floyd Square.
Signs hang in the window of the Seward Community Co-op.
September 28, 2021 — Signs hang in the window of the Seward Community Co-op.
A poster for a march that took place back in July 2021 on boards of Seven Points mall.
September 28, 2021 — A poster for a march that took place back in July 2021 on boards of Seven Points mall.
A look down Lake Street near 35W. This area was hard hit by riots with buildings on the north side burned.
September 30, 2021 — A look down Lake Street near 35W. This area was hard hit by riots with buildings on the north side burned.