Nekima Levy Armstrong at Downtown Minneapolis Protest

Nekima Levy Armstrong, a prominent activist, speaks at a press conference held outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Downtown Minneapolis on February 25, 2021. The conference announced a March 8th protest, with participants expressing their determination to demand justice and change despite perceived fortifications around government buildings. The signs held by attendees call for the conviction of Derek Chauvin and justice for George Floyd and other victims, reflecting the ongoing protests and calls for accountability following the murder of George Floyd. On May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered 46-year-old George Floyd during an arrest outside Cup Foods at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis. Video recorded by bystanders showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes while Floyd repeatedly said he could not breathe. Three other Minneapolis police officers - J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao — were also present during the arrest and later faced criminal charges for their roles in Floyd’s death. Floyd’s murder sparked protests and civil unrest across Minneapolis and around the world, leading to widespread demonstrations against police violence, major policy debates on policing, and the conviction of Chauvin on murder and manslaughter charges in 2021.

Photo taken in February 2021.