Civil Unrest

13 photos · 2020–2021

13 photographs tagged Civil Unrest, 2020–2021.

Wells Fargo bank burning on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis on May 29, 2020. — A Wells Fargo branch on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis burns on the night of May 29, 2020. The bank, across from the Minneapolis Police Department’s Fifth Precinct, was damaged during unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd. Flames are visible through the front windows as fire spreads across the ground-floor banking area.

Minneapolis City Hall with its distinctive clock tower stands behind security barriers and snow-covered streets during winter. — Minneapolis City Hall in downtown Minneapolis shown in February 2021. Security fencing going up around buildings in the area in preperation for the Derek Chauvin trial.

Hennepin County Government Center's ground-floor windows and entrances boarded with plywood during February 2021 security preparations. — The Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis has plywood covering several ground-floor windows and entrances. The county courthouse complex was being secured in February 2021 ahead of the Derek Chauvin trial in the death of George Floyd. The building stands at 300 South 6th Street.

Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis, a brick and glass civic building at 300 South 6th Street. — Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis houses county courts and administrative offices.

National Guard Armory in Minnesota — Minnesota National Guard vehicles are staged at The Armory in Minneapolis in anticipation of potential civil unrest. This deployment occurred in May 2021, following the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. The Armory, a historic building completed in 1936, has served as a military facility and a public venue. Its large drill hall and surrounding grounds have historically been used for military training and public gatherings, making it a strategic location for staging resources during times of heightened public tension.

Abolition Is a Practice poster on a pillar along the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis. — A poster advocating for police abolition is affixed to a pillar along the Minneapolis Midtown Greenway, a multi-use trail built on a former railroad corridor. The poster, titled "Abolition is a Practice," outlines the philosophy and actions of abolitionist movements, emphasizing collective care, support, and the development of freedom-building practices. It also lists concrete actions such as prisoner support, court and jail support, and tactics of self and collective defense. The presence of such messaging on public infrastructure reflects the ongoing discourse and activism surrounding policing and justice, particularly in the context of events like the Minneapolis Uprising of 2020.

USPS Loop Station in downtown Minneapolis with boarded window and shattered glass door. — The Minneapolis USPS Loop Station, located in downtown Minneapolis, shows signs of damage with boarded-up windows and broken glass. This facility serves as a critical hub for postal services in the city, providing mail processing and delivery functions. The damage is indicative of the civil unrest that affected Minneapolis in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in May 2020. The station's function as a public service infrastructure highlights its importance to the daily operations of the community and its vulnerability during periods of social upheaval.

Flyer about the 2020 George Floyd protest on the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis with anti-police graffiti nearby. — A flyer posted on the Minneapolis Midtown Greenway commemorates the "Minneapolis Uprising" that began on May 25, 2020, following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. The flyer includes an image of buildings engulfed in flames and text describing the events as "righteous rebellion" and "revolutionary violence." Graffiti on a nearby structure, visible in the background, echoes the sentiment with slogans such as "Abolition Now" and "Burn All Precincts." The Midtown Greenway is a popular urban trail built on a former railroad corridor, which became a site of public assembly and protest during the unrest.

Minneapolis police officer near Chicago-Lake Liquors in Uptown Minneapolis at night. — Minneapolis police officers patrol near Chicago-Lake Liquors in Uptown Minneapolis on April 12, 2021. The patrol occurred in the aftermath of the killing of Daunte Wright by a police officer in nearby Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, which led to widespread protests and unrest. Chicago-Lake Liquors is a long-standing retail establishment in the Uptown neighborhood, a commercial and cultural hub of the city.

Worker moving plywood outside Calhoun Beach Framing in Minneapolis. — During the period of civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd and the police killing of Daunte Wright, businesses in Minneapolis took protective measures. Calhoun Beach Framing, a custom picture framing shop and art gallery located at 1517 West Lake Street, is shown here as plywood boards are prepared for installation. This proactive step was common for businesses in the Uptown Minneapolis area and across the city during the spring and summer of 2021, as well as in the aftermath of the 2020 protests.

National Guard soldier outside Juut Salon in Uptown Minneapolis at night. — Minnesota National Guard soldiers are stationed outside Juut Salon and AVEDA Institute in Uptown Minneapolis on April 13, 2021. Their presence followed the shooting death of Daunte Wright by a Brooklyn Center police officer, which ignited protests and civil unrest in the Minneapolis area. The National Guard was deployed to maintain order and protect property during this period of heightened tension.

National Guard troops on N Broadway in Minneapolis after the killing of Daunte Wright. — National Guard troops are stationed on N. Broadway in Minneapolis following the killing of Daunte Wright by Brooklyn Center Police Officer Kim Potter on April 11, 2021. The deployment of military personnel was in response to widespread protests and civil unrest that occurred in the days following the incident. This event marked a period of heightened tension and public outcry over police brutality and racial injustice in the Minneapolis area.

Wendy's being rebuilt after riots — A worker installs equipment inside the nearly completed Wendy's restaurant in South Minneapolis, nearly one year after the building was destroyed by fire during civil unrest in the summer of 2020. The phrase "Blood on His Hands" is visible on the construction barrier out front.

Built in Minneapolis

Minneapolis Photographer

Browse by location, move through long-running series, or start with recent work.

Facebook Instagram Threads X Bluesky Flickr

© 1996–2026 Chad Davis