George Floyd Square Barricades at Sunset, Minneapolis

Barricades are re-established at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis at sunset on June 3, 2021, following an earlier clearing by the city. The square, located at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, became a focal point of protests and community organizing after the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The community established autonomous zones and erected barricades to control access and create a space for remembrance and activism. 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.