Photography from Minneapolis

Minneapolis Uprising – April 2021

April 2021 Minneapolis

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. Demonstrations, marches, and nightly confrontations with law enforcement became a defining presence across the metropolitan area, as communities responded to another high-profile police killing less than a year after the events of May 2020.

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.

Community response throughout the month included organized demonstrations, mutual aid efforts, and the establishment of memorial spaces honoring Daunte Wright. Public discourse intensified around policing practices, use-of-force policies, and the broader implications of the Chauvin trial, which continued to draw national and international attention to Minneapolis. The convergence of protest activity and courtroom proceedings made April 2021 a pivotal period in the city’s ongoing reckoning with policing and public safety.

Key dates

April 2021 in Minneapolis and the surrounding region was shaped by the killing of Daunte Wright, sustained protest activity, and the conclusion of the Derek Chauvin trial.

  • 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 a Brooklyn Center police officer 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.

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