George Floyd Square: New barricades and community memorials

George Floyd Square, located at the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, became a focal point for protests following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The area was occupied by activists and community members for over a year, transforming it into a space for remembrance, political expression, and community organizing. This photograph shows the square after city officials had removed initial barricades and subsequently erected new ones, alongside numerous community-created memorials, including planters, flowers, candles, and artwork. 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 June 2021.