Minneapolis Uprising: The Murder of George Floyd

Minneapolis Uprising – August 2023

Rallies outside the Hennepin County Government Center and street-level memorials at George Floyd Square, August 2023

August 1–31, 2023 Minneapolis

On July 31, 2023, Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan shot and killed Ricky Cobb II, a 33-year-old Black man, during a traffic stop in Minneapolis. Within days, activists were gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center demanding that County Attorney Mary Moriarty charge Londregan, whom the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension had already identified in the homicide.

The rallies drew organizers with direct ties to the political moment. Toussaint Morrison, who had worked on Moriarty's campaign, was among those who spoke, publicly calling on her to act. Elizer Darris also addressed the crowd outside the Government Center. The killing landed against a backdrop that Minneapolis had been navigating for three years: a city still reckoning with the 2020 murder of George Floyd.

A vigil was held at George Floyd Square, at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, drew Brass Solidarity to perform there, and flyers and stickers calling for justice spread through the intersection's memorials.

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Activists speak asking for charges against police officer — *August 4, 2023* — Activists gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis to demand accountability in the death of Ricky Cobb II. The group urged Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty to charge Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan, identified by the BCA, in Cobb's homicide. Toussaint Morrison, who had previously supported Moriarty's campaign, was present, calling on her to "do the right thing."

Toussaint Morrison speaking at Ricky Cobb protest — *August 4, 2023* — Toussaint Morrison speaks at a protest outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis. Activists gathered to urge Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty to charge Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Londregan in the homicide of Ricky Cobb II. Morrison, who has a history of engagement with Moriarty, including work on her campaign videos, implored her to "do the right thing."

Elizer Darris speaking at Ricky Cobb rally — *August 4, 2023* — Elizer Darris speaks at a rally outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis. The protest was organized to demand that the County Attorney charge Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan in the death of Ricky Cobb II. Cobb, a civilian, was shot and killed during a traffic stop on July 31, 2023.

Sign reading All Cops are Derek Chauvin — *August 4, 2023* — Protesters gathered outside the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minnesota, holding signs that express solidarity with victims of police violence. One sign reads "All Cops Are Derek Chauvin," referencing the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd. The rally also called for charges against Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan in the killing of Ricky Cobb II, who died on July 31, 2023, following a traffic stop.

Newly built US post office with green grass — *August 5, 2023* — The United States Post Office in Minneapolis, rebuilt after its destruction during the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The original post office, located near the Minneapolis police third precinct, was among the structures damaged during the protests.

Rocky Cobb protest sign at a vigil — *August 5, 2023* — A flyer calling for justice for Ricky Cobb II rests on a bench at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. Cobb, a 33-year-old Black man, was killed by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper during a traffic stop on July 31, 2023. George Floyd Square has been a site of protest and remembrance since the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020.

Brass Solidarity performs at Ricky Cobb Vigil — *August 5, 2023* — Brass Solidarity performs at a vigil for Ricky Cobb II at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. Cobb, a Black man, was killed by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper during a traffic stop on July 31, 2023. The square, formerly known as the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, became a focal point for protests against racial injustice and police brutality following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.

Cristian Rivera Coba and heart painted on sidewalk — *August 5, 2023* — A vigil for Ricky Cobb II at George Floyd Square. Cobb was killed by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper during a traffic stop on July 31, 2023.

Justice for Ricky Cobb II stickers — *August 5, 2023* — Stickers advocating for "Justice for Ricky Cobb II" are displayed at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. Ricky Cobb II was killed by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper during a traffic stop on July 31, 2023. The stickers, which also bear the slogans "1312 ACAB FTP" and "Traffic stops should not be a death warrant," reflect ongoing activism and calls for accountability within the community. George Floyd Square has been a site of protest and remembrance since the murder of George Floyd in May 2020.

Giant raised fist sculpture with "Land Back" sign at George Floyd Square on 38th Street in Minneapolis. — *August 9, 2023* — The raised fist sculpture stands at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, the site where George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020. Community members closed the intersection to vehicle traffic in the aftermath, and it remained a self-governed protest zone for over a year before the city reopened it to cars in 2021. The wooden fist, mounted on a base marked "Land Back," references Indigenous land-rights movements alongside the site's memorial to Floyd. Area artists and organizers have maintained the space with murals, gardens, and rotating installations since 2020.

All women are beautiful artsy billboard — *August 9, 2023* — A billboard displaying "All Women Are Beautiful" is visible above George Floyd Square at E 38th St in Minneapolis. This artwork was created by 8th-grade students from Franklin Middle School as part of the Social Justice Billboard Project. The project has been showcasing local artists since July 2020, and this particular piece highlights diversity and empowerment

Black Love Unity Foods George Floyd Square — *August 9, 2023* — Unity Foods (formerly Cup Foods) at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue inside George Floyd Square in August 2023.

Red metal canopy structure with "Where There's People There's Power" text at The People's Way in George Floyd Square, Minneapolis. — *August 9, 2023* — George Floyd Square sits at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis. The property was formerly a Speedway gas station before it closed following the May 2020 death of George Floyd nearby. In 2021, the city of Minneapolis purchased the station and surrounding parcels, converting the space into a memorial and community gathering area. Murals and artwork created by local artists now mark the site's transformation.

2 art billboards over Unity Foods in Minneapolis — *August 9, 2023* — Billboards created by 8th-grade students from Franklin Middle School are displayed above Unity Foods at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. These artworks are part of the Social Justice Billboard Project, which has been showcasing local artists since July 2020. The square, located at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and East 38th Street, became a focal point for protests and activism following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The area has since been transformed into a memorial and community space, marked by tributes and public art.

Painted fist sculptures and signage at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis mark the community gathering space. — *August 9, 2023* — George Floyd Square sits at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, the site where George Floyd was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020. The intersection has remained a memorial and gathering space since that day, marked by murals, hand-painted signs, and a raised black-power fist sculpture at its center. Unity Foods, a longtime grocery and halal market, occupies the corner storefront and has continued operating throughout the site's transformation. The city of Minneapolis acquired the former gas station property on the square in 2021, with community input shaping plans for its future use. Metro Transit still runs bus service through the intersection, one of the few pieces of normal city infrastructure to persist alongside the memorial.

The People's Closet at George Floyd Square in August 2023 — *August 9, 2023* — The People's Closet at George Floyd Square. Located inside a re-used former Metro Transit bus station, the closet has been continuously filled with clothing. The clothing, including shoes and other gear, is available to anyone in the community and has been maintained since 2020.

Unity Foods sign above George Floyd mural — *August 12, 2023* — A mural honoring George Floyd is displayed on the exterior of Unity Foods, a store located at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis. This intersection, known as George Floyd Square, became a focal point for protests and activism following Floyd's murder in May 2020. The mural, painted on the building that housed Cup Foods, features Floyd's portrait and the words "I Can Breathe Now," alongside a list of other names. It serves as a memorial and a symbol of the ongoing movement for racial justice.

Night photo of Chicago Ave in George Floyd Square — *August 12, 2023* — Chicago Avenue at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, August 2023. This area became a focal point for protests following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The "Just Turkey" restaurant and a laundromat are visible businesses along the street.

Informational panel for "Say Their Names" cemetery art installation at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. — *August 12, 2023* — Say Their Names Cemetery is an art installation at George Floyd Square marking the site with rows of small white headstones, each bearing the name of a person killed by police. The installation sits on Lakota land, a fact the accompanying sign acknowledges under the heading "Stolen Land, Stolen Lives." It forms part of the broader Memorial for Stolen Lives at the square, which community members care for and maintain without city or institutional funding. The square itself formed at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue following George Floyd's murder there in May 2020.

Black Lives Matter sign in the Moxy Hotel window on Lake Street in Minneapolis. — *August 15, 2023* — A "Black Lives Matter" sign is displayed in the window of the Moxy Hotel on Lake Street in Minneapolis's Uptown neighborhood. The sign reflects the broader social and political climate following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, which sparked widespread protests and calls for racial justice.

Lift being used to paint billboard on parking ramp — *August 26, 2023* — A new mural being painted on the parking garage next to Seven Points Mall at Lake and Girard in Uptown Minneapolis. Winston Smith was killed by law enforcement on June 3, 2021 on the top floor which led to months of protest.

Artists paint a mural on parking garage — *August 26, 2023* — Artists paint a mural on the Seven Points Mall parking garage in Uptown Minneapolis, a site that became a focal point of protests following the killing of Winston Smith by law enforcement on June 3, 2021. The mural's creation signifies a community response and artistic reclamation of public space.

Color of Change billboard in front of skyline — *August 30, 2023* — A billboard in Downtown Minneapolis displays a message from Color of Change, an organization focused on racial justice. The advertisement, seen on August 30, 2023, features a person with tape over their mouth, bearing the words "ACTION SPEAKS," and the slogan "UNTIL JUSTICE IS REAL.COM."

Minneapolis Uprising – August 2023

Minneapolis Photographer