Boards

172 photos · 2009–2025

172 photographs tagged Boards, 2009–2025.

Boarded-up brick building at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, a historic military installation near Minneapolis.
This brick building, located at Fort Snelling near Minneapolis, Minnesota, has boarded-up windows and doors, indicating disuse. Fort Snelling is a historic military installation that served as a key strategic post for the U.S. Army in the Upper Midwest. The fort's history dates back to its establishment in 1819, and it played a significant role in westward expansion and military operations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The architectural style of the building suggests it may have been constructed during the fort's active military period, likely serving administrative or residential purposes for personnel.

Fort Snelling Building with Boarded Windows

Boarded by Minneapolis Fire Signage
A sign reading Boarded by Minneapolis Fire Department as per MPLS inspections

Boarded by Minneapolis Fire Signage

Boarded windows on a brick apartment building alley in downtown Minneapolis at night.
The Laurel Apartments building sits near downtown Minneapolis, constructed with the rusticated stone base and brick upper walls common to the city's late-19th and early-20th century multifamily housing stock.

Boarded Windows and Gated Archway, Laurel Apartments, Minneapolis

Hard Times Cafe with boards on door during covid closures
The Hard Times Cafe, located at 1823 Riverside Drive in Minneapolis's Cedar Riverside neighborhood, was boarded up during the COVID-19 pandemic closures.

Hard Times Cafe, Minneapolis: Boarded Up During COVID-19

A cyclist rides past boarded-up O'Donovan's Irish Pub on North 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis.
A cyclist rides past O'Donovan's Irish Pub on North 7th Street in downtown Minneapolis on May 28, 2020. The pub's windows and doors are boarded over, with handwritten messages including references to George Floyd and calls for justice visible on the plywood. The image was made during the third day of widespread protests and unrest in Minneapolis following Floyd's death.

Boarded Windows at O’Donovan’s Irish Pub on N 7th St

Boarded storefront with Justice for Floyd sign on Lake Street in Minneapolis.
A boarded storefront on Lake Street in Minneapolis bears the message “Justice for Floyd” in the early hours of May 29, 2020. The sign appeared during protests and unrest following the killing of George Floyd, when many businesses in the corridor covered windows with plywood for protection.

Justice for Floyd Graffiti, Minneapolis

Boarded McDonald's drive-thru on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis serving a customer through a plywood opening.
A boarded-up McDonald’s drive-thru on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis serves a customer through a small opening cut into the plywood on May 29, 2020. The restaurant’s windows and exterior were covered with protective boards as businesses in the area responded to damage and unrest following the killing of George Floyd.

McDonald’s Drive-Thru, Hennepin Ave Minneapolis

McDonald’s service window in Uptown Minneapolis with a gloved employee at a point-of-sale terminal.
An employee works at a point-of-sale terminal inside a McDonald’s service window in Uptown Minneapolis on May 29, 2020. The restaurant’s windows are boarded, and transactions are conducted through a small opening, reflecting security measures adopted by some businesses during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd.

McDonald’s Service Window, Uptown Minneapolis

Minneapolis police SUV on South 10th Street beside boarded storefronts in downtown Minneapolis.
A Minneapolis Police squad car patrols South 10th Street in downtown Minneapolis on May 29, 2020, passing commercial buildings with plywood covering their ground-floor windows. The boarded storefronts document security measures taken by businesses during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd.

Police Car and Boarded Businesses, Minneapolis

Boarded storefronts in downtown Minneapolis marked with BLM and Black Owned graffiti.
Boarded storefronts in downtown Minneapolis are marked with the spray-painted messages “BLM” and “BLACK OWNED” on May 29, 2020. The plywood covers were installed to protect retail businesses during unrest following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police earlier that week.

Boarded Businesses, Downtown Minneapolis

Boarded Target store at Nicollet Mall and 9th Street South in downtown Minneapolis during early morning hours.
This Target store sits at Nicollet Mall and Ninth Street South in downtown Minneapolis, its glass rotunda entrance topped with the company's bullseye logo. Plywood covers the ground-floor windows and doors here in the early hours of May 29, 2020, as businesses across the city boarded up amid the unrest following George Floyd's killing by police.

Target Store Boarded, Downtown Minneapolis, George Floyd Unrest

Hagen’s Auto Body on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis with boarded windows and a “WE ARE OPEN” banner.
Hagen’s Auto Body on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis is pictured with its windows and doors boarded on May 30, 2020. The collision repair shop remained lit overnight, with a red “WE ARE OPEN” banner hanging on the brick facade and a message painted on the plywood reading, “WE HAVE BEEN PART OF THIS COMMUNITY FOR 50 YEARS AND WE CARE ABOUT IT.” The photograph was made during the fourth day of protests in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd.

Hagen’s Auto Body, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, 2020

National Guard truck outside boarded Bryant-Lake Bowl in Uptown Minneapolis
A Minnesota National Guard vehicle and soldier stand outside the boarded Bryant-Lake Bowl in Uptown Minneapolis on May 30, 2020. The business, a long-running bowling alley, theater, and restaurant, had covered its street-facing windows with plywood as unrest followed the killing of George Floyd. The photograph shows the LynLake commercial district under military presence in the early morning hours.

National Guard at Boarded Bryant-Lake Bowl, Minneapolis

Boarded storefront of Nordstrom Rack at the IDS Center on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.
Nordstrom Rack occupies ground-floor retail space at the IDS Center on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. The IDS Center, completed in 1972, rises as Minnesota's tallest building and anchors this stretch of the mall with offices and shops. Plywood now covers the storefront's windows in the early hours of May 30, 2020, after protests and unrest followed the killing of George Floyd.

Plywood Along Nordstrom Rack at the IDS Center After Unrest

Street artist painting a George Floyd portrait on boarded storefronts on Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis.
A street artist paints a portrait of George Floyd on plywood boarding along Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis on May 31, 2020. The temporary panels were installed over storefront windows after unrest and property damage following Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on May 25. Murals and memorial art appeared across the city during this period, using boarded facades as improvised public canvases.

Street Artist Painting George Floyd Portrait on Hennepin Ave

Burned Foot Locker on Lake Street in Minneapolis with a pedestrian passing by.
The burned Foot Locker storefront on Lake Street in Minneapolis stands damaged on May 31, 2020, with shattered upper windows, a collapsed ground-floor opening, and debris visible inside the retail space. The store was among the businesses affected during the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in late May 2020. A pedestrian walks past the fire-damaged building as cleanup and recovery had yet to begin.

Burned Foot Locker, Lake Street, Minneapolis

Chicago-Lake Liquors boarded up on Lake Street in Minneapolis with graffiti and concrete barriers.
Chicago-Lake Liquors on Lake Street in Minneapolis stands boarded up on May 31, 2020, with graffiti on the plywood-covered entrance and on a concrete barrier in front of the store. The large corner liquor store, identified by its prominent sign and drive-in customer parking lot, was among many businesses in the area that installed protective coverings after unrest following the killing of George Floyd.

Chicago-Lake Liquors Boarded, Minneapolis

Bryant-Lake Bowl on Lake Street in Minneapolis is boarded with plywood bearing spray-painted messages including "PEOPLE LIVE HERE."
Bryant-Lake Bowl is a bowling alley, theater, and restaurant on Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis. Plywood covers its ground-floor windows, spray-painted with "PEOPLE LIVE HERE" and "DO NOT BURN." The boards went up after unrest broke out along Lake Street following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020.

“People Live Here” Spray-Painted on Bryant-Lake Bowl’s Boards

Minnesota National Guard Humvee on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis during unrest in June 2020.
A Minnesota National Guard Humvee is parked on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, beneath the city’s skyway system near 7th Street South. The photograph was taken on June 1, 2020, during the period of unrest that followed the May 25 killing of George Floyd. Storefronts along the pedestrian corridor are covered with plywood, and the otherwise empty street shows the security presence in the central business district.

National Guard Humvee on Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, June 2020

Cyclist passing boarded Walgreens on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, June 2020.
A cyclist rides past a boarded Walgreens storefront on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis on June 1, 2020. Plywood covers the windows and doors, with graffiti reading “EMPTY + BURNED” painted across several panels. The boarding was installed after unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, leaving commercial corridors such as Uptown marked by temporary security measures and damage.

Uptown Minneapolis Walgreens, ‘EMPTY + BURNED’ graffiti

Boarded Walgreens and Orangetheory on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, June 2020.
Boarded storefronts on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, including a Walgreens and an Orangetheory Fitness, are shown on June 1, 2020. Plywood covers the windows and doors of both businesses following days of unrest in Minneapolis after the killing of George Floyd. Graffiti on the boards includes “JUSTICE 4 GEORGE” and references to Black Lives Matter.

Hennepin Avenue Boarded Walgreens & Orange Theory, Minneapolis

AC Hotel Minneapolis Downtown boarded with plywood before curfew during unrest on June 1, 2020.
The AC Hotel Minneapolis Downtown in downtown Minneapolis is boarded with plywood across its ground-floor windows and entrance on June 1, 2020. The protective barriers were installed as businesses prepared for a 10 p.m. curfew and possible damage during unrest following the killing of George Floyd on May 25.

AC Hotel Minneapolis Downtown, boarded for curfew

Boarded-up Uptown Theater in Minneapolis with red graffiti reading “Silence = Violence” and “Wake Up White People.”
The Uptown Theater in Uptown Minneapolis is shown boarded up on June 2, 2020, with protest messages painted across plywood covering its facade. Red spray-painted text on the boards reads “Silence = Violence” and “Wake Up White People,” while the marquee above says “ITS OVER” and “GO HOME.” The historic movie theater was among many Twin Cities buildings covered after protests that followed the murder of George Floyd.

Uptown Theater, Minneapolis: ‘Silence = Violence’ Boards

Cowboy Slim’s at Hennepin and Lagoon in Uptown Minneapolis, boarded and covered in George Floyd graffiti.
Cowboy Slim’s Saloon at Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is boarded up and covered in graffiti, including the words “GEORGE” and “FLOYD,” in a photograph made on June 2, 2020. The temporary plywood barriers and street barricade place the image in the period of protests and unrest following the May 25, 2020 killing of George Floyd. Neon signage remains lit above the boarded windows, contrasting the nightlife business’s normal appearance with the conditions in the neighborhood at that time.

Cowboy Slims, Hennepin & Lagoon, Minneapolis, George Floyd Graffiti

Wooden boards with yellow letters reading "Say His Name" and artist tags cover building facades in North Minneapolis.
Boards bearing the message "George Floyd Say His Name" are displayed on a building facade in North Minneapolis in June 2020.

“George Floyd Say His Name” Boards in North Minneapolis

Boarded storefront at 110 N. 3rd St. in Minneapolis with Black Lives Matter and Justice 4 George messages.
Boards covering storefront windows at 110 N. 3rd Street in downtown Minneapolis bear hand-painted messages including “Black Lives Matter” and “Justice 4 George.” Photographed on June 4, 2020, the boarded facade also includes notes such as “People’s pets live here” and “Kids live here,” combining protest messages with notices to passersby in a mixed commercial and residential building. The markings appeared in the days after the murder of George Floyd, when plywood over downtown businesses became surfaces for mourning, demands for justice, and neighborhood communication.

Black Lives Matter & Justice 4 George Boards, Minneapolis

Boarded State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis with an MLK quote on the marquee, June 2020.
The State Theatre in downtown Minneapolis is boarded over beneath its marquee, which displays the Martin Luther King Jr. quote, “The time is always right to do what is right.” The plywood covering the entrance and street-level windows reflects protective measures taken by many Minneapolis businesses in early June 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. Opened in 1921, the theater is a historic performing arts venue and former movie palace on Hennepin Avenue.

State Theatre, Downtown Minneapolis, boarded up, MLK quote

Protest murals on boarded storefronts on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis after George Floyd's killing.
Protest murals and handwritten signs cover the boarded storefronts of a commercial building on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis. Photographed on June 4, 2020, the messages reference George Floyd, Black Lives Matter, and demands for racial justice in the days after Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25. The temporary artwork turned plywood coverings on closed businesses into a public memorial and message wall, with calls to “say his name,” “stop killing us,” and “rebuild community” visible across the block.

George Floyd Protest Murals, Broadway, North Minneapolis

Boarded McDonald’s on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis with drive-thru open, June 2020.
A McDonald’s restaurant on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis is boarded over in early June 2020. Plywood covers the front windows while signs at the entrance and drive-thru state that service remains open. The protective boarding reflects security measures adopted by some Minneapolis businesses after the killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 and the unrest that followed.

Broadway Ave McDonald’s Boarded After 2020 Minneapolis Uprising

Boarded-up Cub Foods on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis on June 4, 2020, with downtown skyline behind.
Cub Foods on Broadway Avenue in North Minneapolis is shown boarded up on June 4, 2020, with downtown Minneapolis visible in the background. Plywood covers the store entrances and sections of the exterior as businesses across the city took protective measures after protests and unrest following the killing of George Floyd.

Cub Foods, Broadway Ave, North Minneapolis, Boarded Up, 2020

Boarded Smitten Kitten and Caffrey's Deli on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis during George Floyd protests.
The boarded storefronts of Smitten Kitten and Caffrey's Deli on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis are shown during the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd in May and June 2020. Plywood covering the ground-floor windows and doors is marked with hand-painted messages including “We want cops in cuffs,” “Don’t burn, we live here,” and “People live here, kids live here.”

Caffrey’s Deli & Smitten Kitten Boarded, Minneapolis Protest

Boarded Iron Door Pub on Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis, with BLM and protest graffiti in June 2020.
The Iron Door Pub on Lyndale Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is boarded up in early June 2020, with plywood covering its windows and doors. Messages including “BLM,” “Stay Safe,” “MPLS Strong,” and “Look for the helpers” are spray-painted across the boards. Taken a week after the killing of George Floyd.

Iron Door Pub, Lyndale Ave, Minneapolis, Protest Graffiti

Bryant-Lake Bowl on Lake Street in Minneapolis, boarded with protest graffiti beneath a lit neon sign.
Bryant-Lake Bowl on Lake Street in Minneapolis is shown boarded up at night, with its neon sign lit above plywood covered in protest graffiti. Messages painted on the boards include “Liberty and Justice for all,” “People live here,” and “Freedom.” The bowling alley, theater, and restaurant was among the Lake Street businesses that secured their storefronts during the unrest following the May 25, 2020, killing of George Floyd.

Bryant-Lake Bowl, Boarded with Protest Graffiti, Minneapolis

Boarded businesses on Lake Street in Minneapolis painted with Black Lives Matter and protest messages in June 2020.
Boarded storefronts on Lake Street in Minneapolis are covered with protest art and messages in early June 2020. Visible text and symbols include “Black Lives Matter,” “Don’t Shoot,” a peace sign, and “Liberty + Justice 4 All” painted across plywood panels protecting business entrances. The boards were installed after the murder of George Floyd and became surfaces for memorials, political messages, and neighborhood response along one of the city’s main commercial corridors.

BLM graffiti on boarded businesses, Lake Street, Minneapolis

George Floyd mural on boarded Stella’s Fish Cafe windows on Lake Street in Minneapolis after protests in 2020.
A George Floyd mural covers boarded windows at Stella’s Fish Cafe on Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis. The painting includes Floyd’s portrait, the words “SAY MY NAME,” and repeated “BLM” text, while adjacent plywood panels are marked with messages including “Justice 4” and “Say His Name.” The boards were installed to protect storefronts during the unrest that followed Floyd’s killing in May 2020, and many became surfaces for memorials and protest art across Minneapolis.

George Floyd ‘Say My Name’ mural, Stella’s Fish Cafe, Lake St

George Floyd murals on boarded windows at Jakeeno’s Pizza on Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, June 2020.
George Floyd memorial murals cover the boarded windows of Jakeeno’s Pizza on Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis. Photographed in early June 2020, the storefront displays hand-painted portraits, flowers, and messages including “Black Lives Matter” and “Say His Name” that were created after Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020, a short distance away. The boards turned the restaurant’s facade into a temporary memorial and a marker of the protests for racial justice that spread across the city.

Jakeeno’s Pizza George Floyd Murals, Chicago Ave

Boarded Lake Street storefronts in Minneapolis with “Kids Live Upstairs” messages after George Floyd’s killing.
Boarded storefronts on Lake Street in Minneapolis are covered with handwritten warnings including “Kids Live Upstairs” and “Please Don’t Burn” in the days after the May 25, 2020 killing of George Floyd. The businesses, photographed at night, include ground-floor retail spaces in a mixed-use commercial block with apartments above. Plywood barriers were widely installed along the corridor during the unrest to protect windows while also drawing attention to residents living over the shops.

“Kids Live Upstairs” during Minneapolis Unrest, Lake Street

Boarded storefront murals on West Lake Street in Minneapolis with George Floyd and Black Lives Matter messages.
Boarded storefronts covered with murals line West Lake Street in Minneapolis in the early hours of June 7, 2020. The painted plywood panels include messages such as “Justice 4 George,” “Black Lives Matter,” “I Can’t Breathe,” and “I Have a Dream,” displayed across retail spaces protected after damage and unrest following the police killing of George Floyd in late May 2020. The murals turned the temporary barriers into a highly visible corridor of memorial and protest art along one of the city’s main commercial streets.

West Lake Street Murals on Boarded Stores, Minneapolis

Maya Angelou mural on boarded windows at Calhoun Square in Minneapolis with a quote from “Still I Rise.”
A mural of Maya Angelou mounted on boarded storefront windows at Calhoun Square in Minneapolis features a passage from her poem “Still I Rise.” Installed along Hennepin Avenue in June 2020, the temporary artwork was part of the wave of protest murals and memorial art that appeared across the city after the murder of George Floyd. The painted boards combine Angelou’s portrait with the lines, “You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies … but still, like dust, I’ll rise.”

Maya Angelou Mural at Calhoun Square, Minneapolis

Boarded entrance of The General Store Dad on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, June 2020.
The boarded entrance of The General Store Dad on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is shown on June 7, 2020. Plywood panels cover the storefront doors and windows, with handwritten text identifying the business as “a community work space” and stating, “Nothing left to steal except some La Croix,” followed by an offer to call for a drink. The protective boarding was installed after protests and unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020.

General Store Dad Boards, Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis Unrest

Granada Theater in Uptown Minneapolis with Justice 4 George Floyd marquee and boarded windows painted with BLM graffiti.
The Granada Theater on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis displays “Justice 4 George Floyd” and “Uptown Love” on its marquee. Painted plywood covers the theater’s ground-floor windows and doors, with large “BLM” graffiti and floral artwork visible across the facade. The boarding reflects security measures used by many Twin Cities businesses during protests and unrest following the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020. Built in 1928, the theater became a prominent public surface for messages during that period.

Granada Theatre Marquee: Justice 4 George Floyd, Uptown, Minneapolis

Boarded Hoban Korean BBQ in Minneapolis with “Justice for George” mural and takeout signs.
The boarded storefront of Hoban Korean BBQ on Hennepin Avenue South in Minneapolis is covered with plywood painted with business information and a large heart-shaped “Justice for George” mural. The boards include the messages “OPEN for change and take-out” and a phone number, along with a note for DoorDash drivers. The storefront was photographed in June 2020, when many Minneapolis businesses were boarded following unrest after the May 25, 2020, killing of George Floyd.

Hoban Korean BBQ, Minneapolis: Justice for George Mural

Boarded storefronts at Cheng's Garden, El Rey, and Subway in South Minneapolis after George Floyd protests.
Boarded storefronts at Cheng's Garden Chinese Restaurant, El Rey, and Subway in a South Minneapolis strip mall are shown on June 11, 2020. Sheets of plywood cover the windows and doors, with hand-painted messages including "POC Owned," "BIPOC Owned," and "George. Say His Name." The businesses were among many in Minneapolis that were boarded up in the weeks after the May 25, 2020 killing of George Floyd, as commercial corridors across the city prepared for damage during protests and unrest.

Cheng’s Garden, El Rey, Subway Boards, George Floyd Uprising

Protesters outside the Minneapolis Police Federation headquarters hold hand-lettered signs criticizing union president Bob Kroll.
Protesters outside the Minneapolis Police Federation headquarters in Minneapolis hold signs criticizing union president Bob Kroll during demonstrations following the killing of George Floyd in June 2020. Hand-lettered messages including “Eat Shit, Bob Kroll” and “Now you’re gonna get it, Bobby!” are raised above the crowd, while another sign references Black Lives Matter.

“Now You’re Gonna Get It, Bobby!” Sign at Bob Kroll Protest

Protesters demonstrate outside Minneapolis Police & Fire Union offices demanding police accountability and Bob Kroll's
Protesters gather outside the Minneapolis Police & Fire Union Offices in Minneapolis on June 12, 2020, calling for the resignation of police union president Bob Kroll. Signs reading “George Floyd,” “Black Lives Matter,” and messages directed at Kroll are raised in front of the union building, whose windows are boarded up. The protest took place during the sustained local response to the murder of George Floyd and demands for police accountability in Minneapolis.

Crowd Demands Bob Kroll’s Resignation, Minneapolis Police Union Offices

Kmart on Lake Street in Minneapolis with store-closing signs and murals on boarded windows, June 2020.
The Kmart store on Lake Street in Minneapolis is shown on June 14, 2020, with large “Store Closing Sale” banners and boarded storefront windows covered in murals and graffiti. Messages and images painted across the boards include “Love Conquers Hate,” peace symbols, and portraits, turning the facade into a temporary public art surface in the weeks after the murder of George Floyd. Shopping carts remain stacked near the entrance as the store stands closed behind the painted boards.

K-Mart Store Closing, Murals on Boards, Lake Street, Minneapolis

Minneapolis police and MAD DADS at the Sheraton hotel in downtown Minneapolis with lumber for boarding up.
The Sheraton hotel in downtown Minneapolis is shown as Minneapolis police officers and members of MAD DADS gather in the parking area on June 15, 2020. They arrived to remove those that had been squatting inside the closed Sheraton hotel building.

Minneapolis Police, MAD DADs Board Up Sheraton Hotel

George Floyd and MLK mural on boarded Red Cow windows on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis.
A mural on the boarded windows of the Red Cow restaurant on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis honors George Floyd and Martin Luther King Jr. Painted after Floyd’s killing in 2020, the temporary storefront artwork includes the words “Rest in Power George Floyd Say His Name” and a quotation attributed to King. The boards turned the closed restaurant frontage into a memorial and protest surface during a period of unrest and mourning in Minneapolis.

MLK & George Floyd Mural, Red Cow, Uptown Minneapolis

Boarded businesses on Lake Street in Minneapolis after George Floyd protests, June 2020.
Boarded storefronts along Lake Street in Minneapolis, including the Yusuf Center and Dulce Mex #2, are shown on June 16, 2020. Plywood covers the ground-floor windows and doors, with graffiti and memorial messages such as “RIP George” and “Justice for Floyd” visible on the barriers and concrete traffic dividers. The businesses were protected after the protests and unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020.

Lake Street Boarded Businesses After George Floyd Protests

Sheraton Hotel in Minneapolis with boarded ground-floor openings beside the Midtown Greenway at night.
The Sheraton Hotel in Minneapolis is seen at night from the Midtown Greenway, with plywood covering multiple ground-level doors and windows. The boarding was in place in mid-June 2020, after Minneapolis Police cleared and closed the hotel during the unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd. Stairways, fencing, and landscaping along the Greenway are visible in the foreground, placing the hotel directly beside the pedestrian and bicycle corridor.

Sheraton Hotel, Minneapolis, boarded at night from Greenway

Graffiti-covered Speedway gas station at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, June 2020.
The Speedway gas station at East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis is shown covered with graffiti and boarded storefront panels in June 2020. The station stood within George Floyd Square, the intersection where George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020. In the weeks after his murder, the property became part of a memorial and protest site, with messages painted across the pumps, walls, and doors.

Speedway Gas Station with Graffiti, 38th & Chicago, Minneapolis

Empty Lake Street at Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis during a police closure at night.
Lake Street at Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis is shown at night during a police street closure on June 27, 2020. The normally busy commercial corridor appears largely empty, with boarded storefront windows and murals visible along the block. Minneapolis police imposed weekend closures in the area at the time in response to large late-night car gatherings in the entertainment district.

Uptown Minneapolis: Lake Street at Hennepin Ave Police Closure

Boarded Spectacle Shoppe and Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, covered with George Floyd murals.
The Spectacle Shoppe and Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis are boarded up and covered with murals and messages referencing George Floyd and Black Lives Matter. Photographed in late June 2020, the storefronts combine business signage with painted tributes, protest text, and portraits across the plywood panels.

Hennepin Ave Stores Boarded, George Floyd Murals, Minneapolis

Boarded storefront murals at Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, June 2020.
Boarded storefronts at Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis are covered with murals and protest messages in June 2020. The plywood panels include hand-painted portraits, “Black Lives Matter” text, and a memorial sign for George Floyd, whose killing on May 25, 2020, led many businesses across Minneapolis to install protective boarding.

Fifth Element Murals, Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis Uprising

Adult boutique store with boards on it
The storefronts of Augies and Brass Rail, adult entertainment venues on Hennepin Avenue in Downtown Minneapolis, are boarded up. This measure was widely adopted by businesses during the Minneapolis Uprising in May 2020, following the killing of George Floyd. The plywood boards feature graffiti, including "RIP Floyd," "ANARCHY," and "ACAB," reflecting the public outcry and calls for justice. Hennepin Avenue has long served as a significant commercial and entertainment corridor in the city, and these boarded establishments document the period of civil unrest and its impact on the urban landscape.

Augies & Brass Rail, Hennepin Ave, Boarded with RIP Floyd Graffiti

West Lake Street boarded up businesses
Murals adorn boarded-up storefronts along West Lake Street in Minneapolis's Lyn-Lake neighborhood. These boards were installed on businesses in July 2020 as a protective measure following civil unrest that occurred after the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Many of these temporary barriers were subsequently transformed into public art by various artists. The murals became a significant visual record of the period, contributing to the cultural landscape of Uptown Minneapolis.

West Lake Street Murals, Minneapolis, July 2020

Slice of new york pizza store on Nicollet Ave in Minneapolis
A Slice of New York pizza shop on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis is shown with its storefront windows boarded up. This protective measure was widely adopted by businesses in the area following the civil unrest and protests that erupted after the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. Despite the boarding, which includes messages like 'We Are Open' and murals referencing the Black Lives Matter movement, the establishment continues to operate for carry-out and delivery. The image reflects the resilience of local businesses and the visible impact of the historical events on the urban environment of Minneapolis.

A Slice of New York, Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, Post-Uprising

Boards on the Ananya Dance Theatre in St Paul
The Ananya Dance Theatre in St. Paul features murals painted on its boarded-up exterior. These artworks emerged in the aftermath of the 2020 protests following the murder of George Floyd, transforming the protective boards into a public expression of grief and calls for justice. The murals include messages such as "JUSTICE FOR GEORGE FLOYD" and "BLACK LIVES MATTER," alongside affirmations like "POC WOMAN OWNED," reflecting the theatre's identity and community solidarity. Ananya Dance Theatre, a professional dance company, uses performance to address social justice issues, making its building a fitting canvas for these protest art expressions.

Ananya Dance Theatre, St. Paul: George Floyd Mural

You Hold the Key mural on boarded-up CVS boards, Lake Street, Minneapolis
The "You Hold the Key" mural by Ballard covers a boarded-up CVS Pharmacy on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Painted in 2020, it features a heart, the word "PEACE," and a large key on protective boards over the storefront.

You Hold the Key Mural, Lake Street CVS, Minneapolis

ReUSE Minnesota flyer on a plywood board
A flyer from ReUSE Minnesota is displayed on a plywood storefront in Minneapolis. The organization coordinates the recovery of plywood used to cover doors and windows across the Twin Cities. This initiative emerged following the widespread boarding up of businesses during the Minneapolis Uprising, aiming to divert materials from landfills. ReUSE Minnesota also collaborates with the Minnesota Historical Society to preserve select pieces of plywood, recognizing their cultural and historical significance as artifacts from a period of social unrest.

ReUSE Minnesota Flyer on Storefront Board, Minneapolis

Abolish the police and George Floyd murals on Minnehaha
Murals and protest art adorn boarded-up buildings along Minnehaha Avenue in South Minneapolis. These public art installations emerged in the aftermath of the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd and the subsequent widespread protests. The artwork includes tributes to George Floyd, calls for justice, and messages such as "Abolish The Police," reflecting the community's demands for systemic change. Serving as a temporary public canvas, these expressions visually documented the grief and activism that characterized the Minneapolis Uprising.

Abolish Police Mural & George Floyd Art, Minnehaha Ave

Gamut Galley art boards
Storefronts along a street in Minneapolis, including Gamut Gallery, are boarded with plywood. These boards were installed to protect businesses during the civil unrest and protests that followed the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Many of the plywood panels were subsequently transformed into murals and public art, reflecting themes of justice and community. Businesses like Gamut Gallery, 'fades of gray,' 'BEE INK,' and 'ROSE SALON' participated in this widespread practice across the city.

Gamut Gallery boarded storefronts with murals, Minneapolis

Hop Wong Restaurant with boards on it and open sign
The Hop Wong Chinese Restaurant on Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis is seen boarded up, with a sign indicating it remains open for takeout and delivery services. The adjacent structure to the left is severely damaged by fire, its interior reduced to rubble. This image documents the impact on local businesses in the aftermath of the 2020 protests and civil unrest that followed the death of George Floyd on May 25th. The restaurant's efforts to continue operations reflect the resilience of community establishments during a period of significant disruption and recovery.

Hop Wong Restaurant, Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, 2020 Uprising

Midtown Transit Center with boards on windows
The Midtown Transit Center at Chicago Avenue and Lake Street in Minneapolis is shown boarded up on July 16, 2020. This facility serves as a key public transportation hub, connecting multiple bus routes in the city. The boarding of the transit center and surrounding retail stores occurred in the aftermath of the civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Many businesses and public structures across Minneapolis were secured with boards during this period, reflecting widespread efforts to protect properties.

Boarded Midtown Transit Center, Chicago & Lake, July 2020

Boards on Cadillac Pawn on Lake Street reading Fuck 12
Cadillac Pawn, located at 1538 E Lake Street in Minneapolis, stands boarded with graffiti following the widespread unrest that occurred after the May 25th, 2020 death of George Floyd. The retail store was heavily looted during these events. Messages spray-painted on the boards include "RIP Calvin" and "Fuck this store," referencing Calvin Horton Jr., who was shot and killed by the store owner, with no charges filed in the case. This site serves as a stark reminder of the community's grievances and the profound impact of the 2020 protests on local businesses and the urban environment.

Cadillac Pawn, Lake Street, boarded with graffiti

Star Dragon Chinese Restaurant with boards
Star Dragon Restaurant, a Chinese restaurant located at 1540 E Lake Street in South Minneapolis, is shown with its windows boarded up. These protective measures were implemented during the civil unrest that followed the May 25, 2020, death of George Floyd. Despite the plywood coverings, the business remained operational, as indicated by the "OPEN" signs painted on the boards and the partially opened entrance. This retail establishment on Lake Street illustrates the resilience and challenges faced by local businesses during a period of significant social upheaval in the city.

Star Dragon Restaurant, Boarded Up, Open, Minneapolis

Ingebretsen’s store on Lake Street with boards
Ingebretsen's, a long-standing Scandinavian food market and gift shop, is located at 1601 E Lake Street in South Minneapolis. Established in 1921, the family-owned business has served as a cultural hub for the city's Scandinavian community for over a century. The store's windows were boarded and subsequently covered with protest messages and graffiti following the civil unrest in May 2020, which occurred after the death of George Floyd. Messages such as "HUMAN FAMILY" and a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. advocating for justice were painted on the protective boards, reflecting community sentiments during this period. This image documents the physical impact and public expression on local businesses along Lake Street during a significant moment in Minneapolis's recent history.

Ingebretsen’s Boarded Store with Graffiti, Lake Street, Minneapolis

Hand-painted protest sign with Prince quote and peace symbol displayed on ivy-covered fence in South Minneapolis.
This protest sign, displayed in South Minneapolis, features a quote attributed to Prince: "Nobody thought the revolution would start in Minneapolis except Prince." The sign was out during the widespread protests and civil unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd in May 2020.

“Except Prince” Sign Among South Minneapolis Protest Boards

Say their names BLM Native Lives Matter boards
A Speedway gas station in South Minneapolis displays painted art boards covering its windows. These murals emerged during the Minneapolis Uprising, a period of widespread protest and unrest following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The plywood boards, initially installed for protection, became a public canvas for messages such as "Justice Now," "Say Their Names," "BLM," and "Native Lives Matter." This form of public art provided a means of community expression and remembrance, reflecting the social and political climate of the time.

Speedway Gas Station Murals, South Minneapolis

Back of fire damaged USPS post office in Minneapolis
The USPS Lake Street Station and a Stop N Shop gas station stand on Lake Street in Minneapolis. These commercial properties sustained significant damage, including instances of arson, during the civil unrest that occurred in May 2020 following the death of George Floyd. The boarded-up windows and visible repairs on both structures reflect the impact of these events on local businesses and infrastructure. The USPS facility continues to serve as a critical postal service hub for the surrounding community, while the Stop N Shop provides essential fuel and convenience services.

USPS Lake Street Station & Stop N Shop, Minneapolis Unrest

Boarded storefront of Cadillac Pawn on Minneapolis's Lake Street displays colorful graffiti and memorial messages honoring Calvin Horton Jr.
A boarded-up storefront of Cadillac Pawn on Lake Street in Minneapolis displays graffiti and memorial messages for Calvin Horton Jr. Horton Jr. was killed by the owner of the pawn shop on May 27, 2020, during the civil unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd.

“Fuck You” Graffiti and Memorials for Calvin Horton Jr. on Lake Street

Memorial photographs of Calvin Horton Jr. affixed to boarded storefront of Cadillac Pawn on Minneapolis Lake Street at dusk.
A memorial for Calvin Horton Jr. stands outside Cadillac Pawn on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Horton Jr. was shot and killed on May 27, 2020, during the civil unrest that followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The memorial features posters bearing Horton Jr.'s image and calls for justice, affixed to the plywood boards protecting the storefront, alongside flowers and candles placed on the sidewalk.

Flowers and “Justice for Calvin” Posters Outside Cadillac Pawn

Justice for Calvin posters and flowers memorializing Calvin Horton Jr. at Cadillac Pawn on Minneapolis Lake Street.
Posters and flowers adorn the boarded-up Cadillac Pawn & Jewelry on Lake Street in Minneapolis, serving as a memorial for Calvin Horton Jr. Horton was shot and killed by the store's owner, John Rieple, on May 27, 2020, during the widespread unrest in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd. The flyers announce a public press release and a vigil followed by a march on July 21, 2020, demanding justice and highlighting that no charges had been filed against Rieple 55 days after the incident.

“Justice for Calvin” Posters and Flowers on Lake Street

Chicago Lake Liquor store with boards over windows
Chicago Lake Liquors, a retail establishment located on Lake Street in Minneapolis, is shown with its storefront windows boarded up. This protective measure was implemented in response to the civil unrest that occurred in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020. Boarding up businesses became a common practice across the city during this period to prevent damage and looting. Lake Street, a major commercial corridor, experienced significant damage and disruption during the uprising, with many businesses like Chicago Lake Liquors taking precautions or facing rebuilding efforts.

Chicago Lake Liquors, Lake Street, Boarded Storefront

"Mapping Prejudice" sticker on wood board in Uptown Minneapolis featuring castle silhouette and "The Happiest Place on Earth
Mapping Prejudice is a University of Minnesota research project that maps racial covenants — clauses once written into property deeds barring non-white residents from owning or occupying homes — across Hennepin County. The project has identified thousands of these covenants, many dating to the early 20th century, and made its findings public through an online map at mappingprejudice.org. This sticker, styled after the Disney castle logo and reading "Minneapolis: The Happiest Place on Earth," uses that branding to point to the gap between the city's reputation and its documented history of housing discrimination.

‘The Happiest Place on Earth’ Sticker on Plywood in Uptown

Graffiti reading "RIP FLOYD" and "LOVE GEORGE" on boarded Walgreens storefront, Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, August 2020.
Plywood covered this Walgreens on Hennepin Avenue after windows were broken during the unrest following George Floyd's death in police custody on May 25, 2020. Business owners across Minneapolis boarded up storefronts in the days that followed, and many of those panels turned into makeshift memorials and message boards. Here, someone spray-painted "RIP FLOYD" alongside a raised fist and the words "LOVE GEORGE," part of a wave of street tributes that spread through the city's commercial corridors that summer.

‘RIP Floyd’ Graffiti on a Boarded-Up Hennepin Avenue Walgreens

Plywood-boarded storefront on Hennepin Avenue displays "I CAN'T BREATHE," Black Lives Matter, and Minneapolis stickers.
"I Can't Breathe" became a rallying cry after Eric Garner's 2014 death in police custody and resurfaced nationally following George Floyd's killing in Minneapolis in May 2020. Business owners along Hennepin Avenue boarded up storefronts during the unrest that followed, and many of those panels became surfaces for spray-painted messages and stickers. Black Lives Matter, founded in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi, is referenced directly on one board. The "Minneapolis: The Happiest Place on Earth" sticker ties to the Mapping Prejudice project at the University of Minnesota, which maps historic racial covenants that once barred Black residents from owning property in parts of the city.

“I Can’t Breathe” and BLM Messages on Hennepin Avenue Plywood

Minneapolis police surveillance camera in downtown Minneapolis
Boarded-up commercial buildings line a street in Downtown Minneapolis in August 2020. A Minneapolis Police mobile surveillance camera is positioned in the foreground, providing additional security monitoring near the boarded storefronts, which are located around the corner from the Minneapolis Police First Precinct station.

Downtown Minneapolis Boarded Buildings, Police Camera, Aug 2020

Thurston Jewelers and Bondesque in Uptown Minneapolis
Thurston Jewelers and Bondesque, located on Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis, are depicted with their storefronts boarded. These boards feature various protest art and messages, including calls for justice and affirmations like 'Black Lives Are Beautiful'. The boarding and artwork emerged during the 2020 protests in Minneapolis, following the murder of George Floyd, which led to widespread civil unrest and calls for systemic change.

Thurston Jewelers & Bondesque, Lake St, Minneapolis, boarded with protest art

MPD defund fuck trump at George Floyd Square
George Floyd Square, located at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and East 38th Street in Minneapolis, is shown on August 19, 2020. This site became a community-maintained memorial and protest zone following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police on May 25, 2020, outside the adjacent Cup Foods. The Speedway gas station sign displays protest messages such as "MPD = DEFUND" and "FUCK TRUMP," while the surrounding area features numerous tributes, graffiti, and art installations. The square functioned as an autonomous zone for a period, serving as a gathering place for activism, remembrance, and community support.

George Floyd Square: Defund MPD, Fuck Trump on Speedway Sign

Kmart covered in art boards in August 2020
The former K-Mart store on West Lake Street in Minneapolis displays extensive murals created in the aftermath of the 2020 protests. These artworks, some depicting portraits and messages related to the Minneapolis Uprising, transformed the building's exterior into a public canvas. The retail store has since been repurposed as a United States Post Office, providing essential services after two local post offices were destroyed by fire during the protests.

Former K-Mart Murals, West Lake Street, Minneapolis

PEACE written on boards covering a Subway restaurant
A Subway restaurant on East Lake Street in South Minneapolis displays "PEACE" graffiti across its boarded windows and entrance. The plywood panels were installed following widespread protests that occurred in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020.

PEACE on boarded windows of Subway, East Lake Street, Minneapolis

ICC Wireless open for business
The storefront of ICC Wireless Boost Mobile on Lake Street in Minneapolis is covered with plywood boards. These boards were installed for protection during the Minneapolis Uprising, a period of civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Despite the protective barriers, the store declared itself "Open for Business" with painted signs, alongside other messages like "We fix Phones," and the company logos.

ICC Wireless Boost Mobile boarded storefront, Lake Street, Minneapolis

Boards on Total Wireless in South Minneapolis
Storefronts along Lake Street in Minneapolis display murals painted on protective boards. These boards were installed on businesses in August 2020, following widespread protests in Minneapolis after the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd. The murals, created by community members and artists, transformed the temporary barriers into public canvases for messages of hope, unity, and social justice. Messages such as 'Black Lives Matter' and calls for community solidarity are visible on the boards covering businesses like Total Wireless, Pineda Tacos, and Subway.

Lake Street Storefront Murals, Minneapolis, August 2020

Former kmart store covered in graffiti
The former K-Mart building on Lake Street in Minneapolis was transformed into a public art installation following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. Its boarded-up facade became a canvas for large-scale murals and graffiti. These artworks emerged during a period of widespread protest and rebuilding in the city. Subsequently, the building was repurposed to house a temporary Post Office, providing essential services after two nearby postal facilities were damaged.

K-Mart Murals & Graffiti, Lake Street, Minneapolis

Boarded up Hennepin County Government Center August 2020
The Hennepin County Government Center in Downtown Minneapolis stands boarded up in August 2020. This measure was taken amidst widespread unrest and protests following the killing of George Floyd, and specifically after false rumors of a police shooting circulated in the city. Designed by John Carl Warnecke & Associates and completed in 1974, the building serves as the primary seat for Hennepin County government, housing the Hennepin County District Court and various administrative offices. The boarding reflects the extensive security measures implemented across Minneapolis during a period of significant social upheaval.

Boarded Hennepin County Government Center, Downtown Minneapolis, August 2020

Target World Headquarters storefront at 1000 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis boarded with plywood at night.
Target World Headquarters at 1000 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis is seen at night with its ground-floor windows and entrances covered by plywood.

Boarded Entrance at Target Headquarters on Nicollet Mall

Boarded storefronts of 4Marq Apartments on Marquette Avenue in downtown Minneapolis at night.
The 4Marq Apartments on Marquette Avenue in downtown Minneapolis are boarded at street level at night.

Boarded Storefronts at 4Marq Apartments on Marquette Avenue

Boarded entrance to 365 Nicollet apartment building in downtown Minneapolis with glass doors visible behind plywood panels.
The entrance to the 365 Nicollet apartment building in downtown Minneapolis is surrounded by plywood boarding while the glass entry doors remain accessible.

Plywood-Boarded Entrance at 365 Nicollet Apartments

Boarded Starbucks storefront at Nicollet Mall Station in downtown Minneapolis at night with neon signage visible.
A boarded Starbucks at Nicollet Mall Station in downtown Minneapolis is shown at the corner of South Marquette Avenue beside the METRO light rail platform.

Boarded-Up Starbucks Near Nicollet Mall Station at Night

Hennepin County Family Justice Center storefront boarded with plywood behind chain-link fencing in downtown Minneapolis.
The Hennepin County Family Justice Center in downtown Minneapolis is boarded over at street level behind chain-link fencing and concrete barriers. The building houses Hennepin County court functions related to family law and domestic matters. The protective barriers and plywood cover much of the ground-floor facade along the street, reflecting heightened security measures in place in September 2020.

Boarded Entrance at the Hennepin County Family Justice Center

Boarded Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen storefront on Lake Street at night with graffiti markings.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen on Lake Street in Minneapolis stands boarded up at night, with plywood covering its windows and graffiti visible across the storefront.

Boarded-Up Popeyes on Lake Street at Night

Dakota Jazz Club storefront boarded with plywood on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis at night.
The Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis is boarded over with plywood on its doors and street-facing windows.

Boarded Storefront at the Dakota Jazz Club on Nicollet Mall

Boarded storefronts line Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis at night, September 2020.
Boarded storefronts line Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis at night in late September 2020.

Nicollet Mall at Night After Downtown Minneapolis Unrest

Boarded storefronts on Lake Street in Minneapolis display spray-painted messages "Do Not Burn" and "People Live Here" at night.
Boarded storefronts on Lake Street in Minneapolis are marked with spray-painted messages reading “Do Not Burn” and “People Live Here” in this nighttime view from September 2020. The plywood covers retail windows and doors along a commercial corridor that was heavily damaged after protests following the killing of George Floyd in May 2020.

“Do Not Burn, People Live Here” Spray-Painted on Lake Street Plywood

Boarded storefront on Lake Street in Minneapolis displays murals including "Love Your Enemy" and "Justice for Floyd" messaging.
Murals and graffiti cover the exterior wall of the former K-Mart building on Lake Street in South Minneapolis. The painted boards include the large phrase “LOVE YOUR ENEMY,” an “MPLS” mural with the words “JUSTICE FOR FLOYD NOW,” and other artist panels installed across the boarded facade.

“Love Your Enemy” Mural on Former K-Mart on Lake Street

Lynlake Brewery storefront and neighboring businesses on Lyndale Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis at night with illuminated trees and
LynLake Brewery and neighboring storefronts on Lyndale Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis are pictured at night in September 2020.

Lyndale Avenue at Night Near Lynlake Brewery in Uptown

Flagship Target store boarded up on Nicollet Mall
The Target Flagship Store on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis stands with its entrance boarded with plywood.

Boarded Flagship Target Store, Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Nordstrom Rack boarded up at IDS Center
The Nordstrom Rack store is located within the IDS Center, a prominent skyscraper in downtown Minneapolis. Its street-level windows are covered with white-painted boards, installed following widespread civil unrest and property damage that occurred in August 2020.

Boarded Nordstrom Rack, IDS Center, Minneapolis

WCCO TV boarded up in Downtown Minneapolis
The WCCO-TV building on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis is shown with its exterior boarded up.

WCCO-TV Building Boarded Up on Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

The time is always right to do what is right
The State Theatre, a historic performing arts venue on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, features a marquee displaying a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. The message, "The time is always right to do what is right".

State Theatre Marquee, MLK Quote & Murals, Minneapolis

Lisa Bender Must Go graffiti
Graffiti reading "Lisa Bender Must Go" is visible on the boarded-up windows of Fox Den Salon at 2727 Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. Lisa Bender served as the Minneapolis City Council President during a period of significant social and political unrest in the city.

Lisa Bender Must Go Graffiti, Fox Den Salon, Hennepin Ave

AT&T retail store on Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis with boarded windows at night.
This AT&T store sits on Lake Street in Uptown Minneapolis, a commercial corridor that saw widespread property damage after the killing of George Floyd in May 2020. Many businesses along the strip boarded their windows in the aftermath and kept the plywood up for months afterward, some using it as makeshift signage during reconstruction. A "Now Open" banner on the boards here signals the store's return to business despite the unfinished repairs. Lake Street has long served as one of South Minneapolis's primary retail and transit corridors, connecting the Midtown Greenway to neighborhoods stretching from Uptown to the Mississippi River.

AT&T Store Reopens Behind Plywood on Lake Street

Cyclists and pedestrians move through downtown Minneapolis's Nicollet Mall, where plywood boards cover ground-floor storefronts.
Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis with plywood covers on many ground-floor storefronts in the months after the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing in May 2020.

Boarded Storefronts Along Nicollet Mall

Graffiti art covers protective boards on the John Fluevog store at Hennepin and Lagoon Avenues in Uptown Minneapolis.
The plywood covering John Fluevog's storefront on Hennepin Avenue became a canvas for hand-lettered messages and drawings, including references to James Baldwin, Grace Jones, and the phrase "Love Is Not Dead." The shoe retailer, known for its avant-garde designs since founding in Vancouver in 1970, operates a location here in Uptown Minneapolis near the corner of Lagoon Avenue. Business owners across the city boarded up storefronts for protection following the unrest that spread after George Floyd's killing in May 2020, and many of those boards were later turned into sites for murals and text-based artwork by local artists.

“Love Is Not Dead” Mural on the John Fluevog Storefront

US Bank Plaza entrance in downtown Minneapolis with boarded plywood windows during November 2020.
US Bank Plaza rises 40 stories at 200 South 6th Street, one of downtown Minneapolis's taller office towers since its completion in 1981. The building takes its name from its anchor tenant, U.S. Bank, though it houses numerous other business tenants across its floors. Plywood paneling over its ground-floor entrances as a precaution many downtown property owners took to guard against window damage during periods of unrest in the city.

Plywood Covers the Entrance at US Bank Plaza

"Abolish The Police" mural on boarded windows of Hook and Ladder Theater on Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis with pedestrians
The Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge sits on Minnehaha Avenue in Minneapolis's Longfellow neighborhood, a live-music venue that had its plywood window coverings turned into protest art after the killing of George Floyd in 2020. The "Abolish the Police" mural, along with the "Justice" and "Love" lettering beside it, remained on the boards well after the unrest that summer, turning the building into an ongoing outdoor gallery. People gathered outside the venue in November 2020, in the days following the announcement of the presidential election results, as debates over policing and public safety continued in the city.

“Abolish The Police” Mural on the Hook and Ladder in Minneapolis

Coliseum Building on Lake Street in Minneapolis with boarded storefronts decorated with community murals.
The Coliseum Building stands on Lake Street in Minneapolis, its ground-floor storefronts boarded with plywood after damage during the 2020 civil unrest. Built in 1917, the building originally housed a theater along with retail and commercial tenants serving the Longfellow neighborhood. Community members later painted the plywood panels with murals and messages, turning the boards into a temporary public canvas.

Murals Cover Boarded Windows at the Coliseum Building on Lake Street

Artist paints Black Lives Matter mural on boarded storefront along Lyndale Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis.
The mural reading "Black Lives Matter, All Year Round" covers boarded-up storefronts on Lyndale Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis. Plywood panels like these went up over windows and doors across the city after unrest broke out in the wake of George Floyd's killing in May 2020, and many were later painted by local artists rather than removed. Months after the initial unrest, murals such as this one remained in place, turning storm boards into lasting public artwork.

“Black Lives Matter, All Year Round” Mural on Lyndale Avenue

Uptown Smoke Shop storefront on Lake Street with boarded windows displaying colorful "Help + Love each other" graffiti mural.
The mural reading "Help + Love Each Other" covers boarded-up windows at Uptown Smoke Shop, an e-cigarette retailer at 1408 Lake Street in Minneapolis's Uptown neighborhood. Plywood went up over storefronts along Lake Street after the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing in May 2020, and many of those boards became canvases for community-painted messages rather than being removed once repairs were made.

‘Help + Love Each Other’ Mural at Uptown Smoke Shop on Lake Street

Boarded UnBank branch on Hennepin Avenue displays "Open" banner despite plywood-covered windows during Minneapolis November 2020.
The UnBank Company operates check-cashing and short-term loan storefronts, marketed as an alternative to traditional banks for customers without conventional accounts. This branch sits on Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis, its windows and doors covered in plywood while a banner reading "Yes, We Are OPEN For You!" hangs across the boards. Neon signs for "Cash Loans" and "Checks Cashed" remain part of the storefront, advertising the same services the plywood was meant to protect. Metal barricades stand along the sidewalk in front of the entrance.

Boarded UnBank Branch on Hennepin Avenue, “Yes, We Are Open”

Boarded storefront on Lake Street in Minneapolis displays "George Floyd" text during snowfall.
Plywood covering a storefront on Lake Street carries the hand-painted name "George Floyd," one of many boarded windows along the corridor turned into memorials after his killing in police custody in May 2020. Businesses along Lake Street boarded their windows that spring after nights of fires and looting during the unrest that followed Floyd's death. Rather than being removed once the immediate unrest subsided, many of these boards remained in place for months, repainted by artists and volunteers with murals, names, and messages tied to the Black Lives Matter movement.

“George Floyd” Mural on Boarded Storefront, Lake Street Snowfall

Black Lives Matter mural on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis displays "All Year Round" message during snowfall.
The mural reads "Black Lives Matter All Year Round," painted across plywood boards on a building along Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis's Uptown neighborhood. The piece is one of many murals painted on boarded storefronts across Minneapolis following the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing in May 2020, when businesses across the city covered their windows and local artists turned the boards into canvases. Many of these murals remained in place for months afterward, becoming a lasting public record of that period even as boards came down elsewhere.

“Black Lives Matter All Year Round” Mural on Lyndale Avenue

Colorful murals reading "LET THE HEALING" adorn the facade of a temporary post office housed in a former K-Mart on Lake Street in
This building on Lake Street once housed a K-Mart before becoming the Lake-Street Minnehaha Temporary Station, a USPS facility set up after the neighborhood's original postal buildings were damaged during the unrest that followed George Floyd's death in May 2020. The station has continued to handle mail and package service for the surrounding Minneapolis community. Painted across the storefront, a mural reading "LET THE HEALING" was added afterward as part of a wave of public art that appeared on boarded and repurposed buildings along the corridor.

“Let the Healing” Mural at the Lake Street Minnehaha Postal Station

Lake Street Minnehaha temporary post office housed in former K-Mart building with community murals.
This building on Lake Street served as the former K-Mart site before the US Postal Service converted it into a temporary station. USPS opened the location after the Lake Street and Minnehaha post office branches were destroyed during the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing in May 2020. The temporary station restored mail and package services to the surrounding Longfellow and Powderhorn neighborhoods while a permanent replacement was planned.

Temporary USPS Station at the Former K-Mart on Lake Street

Former K-Mart building on Lake Street in Minneapolis converted to a United States Post Office with community murals.
This post office on Lake Street occupies a building that once housed a K-Mart store. The U.S. Postal Service moved operations here after its Lake Street and Minnehaha Avenue branches were damaged during the unrest that followed George Floyd's killing in May 2020. Murals cover much of the building's exterior, added by local artists in the months after the damage.

Post Office Inside the Former K-Mart on Lake Street

Boarded storefront at Fifth Element on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis with George Floyd portrait mural and "Black Lives
Fifth Element is a hip-hop and skateboard shop on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis, known for its role in the city's skate and street culture . After the store's windows were boarded up during the unrest following George Floyd's death in police custody in May 2020, local artists painted the plywood with a portrait of Floyd alongside the phrases "Black Lives Matter" and "Black Is Beautiful." The mural was one of hundreds that appeared on boarded storefronts throughout Minneapolis that year, part of a broader effort by artists to turn plywood barricades into public memorials and protest art.

George Floyd Mural on Fifth Element’s Boarded Windows, Uptown Minneapolis

Boarded storefront at 2741 Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis with "Justice 4 George Floyd" painted on plywood, May 2020.
Plywood covering the storefront at 2741 Hennepin Avenue reads "Justice 4 George Floyd," painted with a red heart on either side of the word "4." The building sits in Uptown Minneapolis, a commercial stretch of Hennepin Avenue lined with retail shops and restaurants. Following George Floyd's death in police custody in May 2020, many Minneapolis businesses boarded their windows against anticipated damage, and those plywood panels became surfaces for murals, memorials, and protest messages across the city.

“Justice 4 George Floyd” Boards on Hennepin Avenue

Protest boards coming off windows
Boards bearing protest art are being systematically removed from storefronts along Lake Street in South Minneapolis. These temporary installations emerged following the widespread protests and civil unrest in late May 2020, sparked by the murder of George Floyd. A dedicated commission is actively collecting and preserving this art, which served as a powerful visual record of community sentiment and resilience during that summer.

Protest art boards from Lake Street, Minneapolis

Say his name calvin horton
The former Cadillac Pawn building on East Lake Street in Minneapolis is shown boarded up. The plywood boards display graffiti and posters memorializing Calvin Horton, whose death was associated with the location during periods of unrest. Hennepin County authorities declined to prosecute the owner in connection with Horton's death, citing insufficient evidence.

Cadillac Pawn, E. Lake St., Minneapolis: Calvin Horton Graffiti

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