George Floyd Square

George Floyd Square is an occupation protest and memorial site at the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States.[7][8] The street intersection is where George Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old black man, was killed on May 25, 2020, by Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer during an arrest outside the Cup Foods convenience store.[9] The manner of Floyd's death, which was captured on video by a bystander and circulated widely in the media, sparked a global protest movement about police violence and structural racism.[10]

George Floyd Square
  • George Perry Floyd Jr Place
  • 38th Street and Chicago Avenue
George Floyd Square, June 2020
Part of38th Street Cultural District[1][2] in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood
NamesakeGeorge Perry Floyd Jr. (1973–2020)
TypeUrban street intersection
OwnerCity of Minneapolis
AddressesEast 38th Street and Chicago Avenue
LocationMinneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Postal code55407
Nearest metro station  Blue Line 
38th Street station
Coordinates44.9343°N 93.2624°W / 44.9343; -93.2624
Major
junctions		 I-35W, Exit 14
NorthEast 37th Street
SouthEast 39th Street
Construction
Construction startMay 26, 2020 (2020-05-26) (occupation protest begins)
InaugurationAugust 14, 2020 (2020-08-14) (cultural designation)
Other
Designer
  • Protesters[3]
  • Street artists[4]
  • Volunteers[4]
Known for
StatusLong-term design phase[6]
Websiteminneapolismn.gov

Local unrest in Minneapolis–Saint Paul immediately after Floyd's death was the second most destructive in United States history, after the 1992 Los Angeles riots,[11] but peaceful protest gatherings at the intersection were free of property destruction, arson, and looting that characterized other demonstrations.[12][13] The intersection became a solemn place of pilgrimage for many people protesting Floyd's death and other forms of racial injustice.[14] However, in the weeks and months after Floyd's death, the area of the square had elevated levels of violent crime and regular gunfire incidents, especially at night.[14]

The urban street intersection where Floyd died is part of the officially designated 38th Street Cultural District in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of Minneapolis.[2] City officials renamed the stretch of Chicago Avenue from East 37th Street to East 39th Street as George Perry Floyd Jr Place.[15] Soon after Floyd's death, people left memorials to him there. The intersection soon transitioned to an occupation as protesters erected barricades to block vehicular traffic and transformed the space with public art of Floyd and that of other racial justice themes.[4] Preservation of public art installments and permanent uses of the site were under long-term planning by the city of Minneapolis in late 2020.[7]

History

Killing of George Floyd
Main article: Killing of George Floyd

At about 8:00 p.m. on May 25, 2020, George Perry Floyd Jr., a 46-year-old black man, was killed while being arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit twenty dollar bill at the Cup Food store at the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. During the arrest, Derek Chauvin, a white police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department, knelt on Floyd's neck for about nine and a half minutes after he was already handcuffed and lying face down.[16][17][18] Two other police officers, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, assisted Chauvin in restraining Floyd, while another officer, Tou Thao, prevented bystanders from interfering with Floyd's arrest.[19] Despite bystanders who confronted the officers over his repeated statement, "I can't breathe" and deteriorating condition, Floyd appeared unconscious at the scene and was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance. He was pronounced dead at 9:25 p.m.[20]

Protests and gatherings
Main article: George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul

By late morning on May 26, 2020, the day after Floyd's death, several videos by witnesses and security camera footage of the arrest had circulated widely in the media, drawing substantial public scrutiny.[21][22] By midday, a makeshift memorial emerged at the East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue[23] and people gathered for the first organized protests.[24] Some protesters chanted, "I can't breathe, I can't breathe", words repeated multiple times by Floyd in the video captured of his death.[25] Thousands of people soon flooded the intersection.[26]

By late morning on May 27, a group of protesters had blocked the intersection East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue with a makeshift barrier as they repeated, "Whose streets? Our streets." Some people left memorials by the Cup Foods store, while some protesters spray painted the words "Justice for Floyd" and "Black Lives Matter" on the street surface. No police were present and the scene was described as peaceful.[3] Many visitors left behind flowers by the murals and sculptures created by activists to symbolize the Black Lives Matter movement. Thousands of visitors protested and grieved at the site, which was described as like a "shrine".[23]

Floyd's death and the resulting unrest in Minneapolis–Saint Paul triggered worldwide protests against police brutality, police racism, and lack of police accountability.[27][28]

Autonomous zone

The Minneapolis police said in June 2020 that they would not alter or decommission the memorial site or remove artifacts.[29] Police officers largely avoided the area in the months after Floyd's death. However, violent crime and drug overdoses by night, and the disruption to public transit and business activity by day, had city officials looking for ways in late July to create a permanent memorial while also opening the intersection back up.[5] Protesters demanded that the city meet a list of 24 demands before removing cement barricades around the intersection.[30] Among the demands were to commence the trial of the four Minneapolis police officers at Floyd's death, to recall the Hennepin County District Attorney Mike Freeman, and invest in the neighborhood association for youth programs and anti-racism training.[31]

Cup Foods store

In August 2020, the re-opening of the Cup Foods convenience store, which a 9-1-1 call from an employee led to the fatal encounter between Floyd and Minneapolis police, generated controversy. Some protesters demanded that the store remain closed for continued mourning and confronted store owners who vowed to keep the store open anyway.[32] The store, owned by a Palestinian-American family, had been a fixture in the neighborhood for three decades. The area around it had also been the location of violent crime, illicit drug dealing, loitering, and undercover police surveillance since the 1990s.[33] In December 2000, the city temporarily shut the store down for several months after recovering stolen electronics, ammunition, and materials for illicit drugs inside Cup Foods–leading to a constant police presence around the property.[34] For many of its customers, the store provided fresh produce and commodities such as cigarettes and pre-paid cellphone minutes. Though Floyd lived 20 minutes away in the nearby suburb of St. Louis Park, he was a frequent customer at the store.[33] Floyd's death led to further scrutiny of the store and its relationship with the Minneapolis police and its off-duty police officers who were known to provide paid security services. Among public conversation about how to evolve the space into a permanent memorial, some activists circulated petitions to permanently close the store.[34]

Official designation

The Minneapolis Planning Commission in August 2020 recommended to the city council that the length of Chicago Avenue between 37th and 39th streets be named as “George Perry Floyd Jr Place”. Minneapolis city officials allocated $4.7 million to establish a permanent memorial at the site.[32] As part of the Minneapolis 2040 zoning plan, local officials also designated the broader 38th Street South area as one of the city's seven new cultural districts to promote racial equity, preserve cultural identity, and promote economic growth.[2] The officially designated 38th Street Cultural District includes the portion of 38th Street South from Nicollet to Bloomington avenues.[1][35]

Crime and safety concerns

Prior to May 25, 2020, the intersection had a reputation for gang activity, but it was transformed into a memorial space and community gathering spot after Floyd's death. By nightfall, however, the autonomous zone was known for regular gunfire incidents. In the seven-week period after Floyd's death, 11 people were shot and 233 gunfire incidents were reported in the area, which did not have a single gunfire incident during the same stretch of time the previous year. After encountering hostile crowds when responding to emergencies near the intersection, police officers avoided making patrols and responding to gunfire incidents, giving the perception that the area was a "no-go zone". Some gang members used the barricades around the site to control entrance, allowing illicit business to continue undisturbed, and authorities investigated an illegal arms dealer who used the site for gun sales.[14]

Concerns about public safety issues created tension within the community and challenges for city officials. By late 2020, a surge in the number of reported violent crimes was considerably higher in the Minneapolis Ward 8 area that included the autonomous zone than compared to city-wide averages. Some advocates argued that community members felt safer with the volunteer patrols of the area, while other residents said they did not feel welcome at the square and that the autonomous zone was an unsafe way to accomplish change.[36] When officers responded to shootings in the area, they claimed to have trouble accessing the square area and allegedly encountered hostile crowds that destroyed evidence, making investigations of crimes difficult.[37]

Public art

Blue and yellow mural

A blue and yellow mural of George Floyd on the side of the Cup Foods grocery store became one of the most recognizable images of the global protest movement that was sparked by his death, and a digital rendering of it served as a backdrop to his casket at his funeral in Houston, Texas.[38][39][40] Created by community artists Cadex Herrera, Greta McLain, and Xena Goldman, the mural was one of the first public artworks to emerge in Minneapolis that honored Floyd's memory in Minneapolis.[41] At the suggestions of a community member, the words "I can breathe now" were added mural to promote community healing, which meant to reflect spiritually on Floyd's dying words, "I can't breathe".[39] The work drew some criticism for being created without the input of Black artists and the nearby community, and it started a discussion about representation in the artist response to Floyd's death.[42]

Black and white mural

Peyton Scott Russell, a Minneapolis native and street artists, created a 12-foot-by-12-foot black-and-white mural of Floyd's face. It was created in his studio over three days and re-located to the intersection in early June 2020. Pictures of the mural were shared worldwide.[40]

Raised fist sculpture

A large wooden sculpture of a raised fist was erected in the middle of the East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue intersection. It was created by unknown artists. The city is considering several options to preserve the sculpture, either in the middle of the intersection or relocating it to the northeast corner.[43] On Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021, volunteers replaced the plywood fist sculpture with a steel version that could withstand weathering. It was created by local artists with the help of the nearby Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center.[44]

The intersection has been the location of many protest, rallies, and demonstrations. It is also served as a backdrop to media coverage on the protest movement sparked by Floyd's death. In August 2020, it was subject of a multi-part PBS News Hour series, "George Floyd Square: The epicenter of a protest movement that’s swept the world."[45] In December 2020, it was the subject of a monthlong series by Minnesota Public Radio, "Making George Floyd's Square: Meet the people transforming 38th and Chicago".[46]

  • Mementos left beside the Cup Foods store, June 4
  • People gather for a protest rally, June 2020
  • Book of Genesis graffiti on the street, June 2020
  • Tributes outside the Cup Foods store, June 2020
  • Makeshift roundabout and wooden fist sculpture, August 2020
  • Flowers and mementos left at the site, August 2020

See also

References
  1. "Cultural Districts ordinance (2020-00446)" (PDF). City of Minneapolis. 2020-08-22.
  2. Staff (2020-08-14). "Minneapolis City Council Approves 7 New Cultural Districts To Advance Equity, Fuel Economic Growth". WCCO. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  3. Wagner, Jeff (2020-05-27). "'I'm Not Gonna Stand With Nonsense': 2nd Night Of Minneapolis George Floyd Protests Marked By Looting, Tear Gas, Fires". WCCO. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  4. Burks, Megan; Nguyen, Christine T.; Frost, Evan (2020-11-25). "The call for justice at 38th and Chicago persists". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  5. Tim Arango, Tim and Furber, Matt (29 July 2020). "Where George Floyd Was Killed: Solemn by Day, Violent by Night". New York Times. Retrieved on 30 July 2020.
  6. "38th Street and Chicago Avenue". City of Minneapolis. 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  7. "38th Street and Chicago Avenue". City of Minneapolis. 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  8. Sandberg, Diane; Edwards, Kiya (2020-08-17). "Talks continue on reopening 38th and Chicago in Mpls". KARE 11. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  9. Nesterak, Max (2020-06-01). "The place where George Floyd was killed is hallowed ground". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  10. Nebehay, Stephanie (2020-11-09). "U.S. criticized for police brutality, racism at U.N. rights review". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  11. Meitrodt, Jeffrey (14 June 2020). "For riot-damaged Twin Cities businesses, rebuilding begins with donations, pressure on government". Star Tribune. Retrieved on 14 June 2020.
  12. "Peaceful protest continues at site of George Floyd's death at 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis". FOX 9. 2020-06-02. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  13. Devine, Jacqueline (2020-05-29). "Hundreds of mourners pay tribute to George Floyd in Minneapolis". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  14. Libor, Jany (2020-11-12). "Investigation into suspected gun dealer highlights plague of violence near site of George Floyd's death". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  15. Staff (2020-09-18). "Minneapolis City Council approves George Perry Floyd Jr. Place as commemorative name for portion of Chicago Avenue". KSTP. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  16. "George Floyd: What happened in the final moments of his life". BBC News. May 30, 2020. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  17. Barker, Kim; Eligon, John; Jr, Richard A. Oppel; Furber, Matt (June 4, 2020). "Officers Charged in George Floyd's Death Not Likely to Present United Front". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  18. Haworth, Jon; Torres, Ella; Pereira, Ivan (June 3, 2020). "Floyd died of cardiopulmonary arrest, tested positive for COVID-19, autopsy shows". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  19. Chappell, Bill (June 3, 2020). "Chauvin And 3 Former Officers Face New Charges Over George Floyd's Death". NPR. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  20. Sawyer, Liz (May 28, 2020). "George Floyd Showed No Signs of Life from Time EMS Arrived, Fire Department Report Says". Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  21. "Protesters Hail Charges Against Police but Seek Broader Change". The New York Times. June 3, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  22. "'This is the right call': Officers involved in fatal Minneapolis incident fired, mayor says". KSTP-TV. May 26, 2020. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  23. Walsh, James (12 June 2020). "Shrine to George Floyd could be permanent at Minneapolis intersection". Star Tribune.
  24. "In pictures: Protesting the death of George Floyd". CNN. May 27, 2020. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  25. "Demonstrators gather around Minneapolis to protest death of George Floyd". KSTP. May 26, 2020. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  26. Wagner, Jeff (18 June 2020). "'It's Real Ugly': Protesters Clash With Minneapolis Police After George Floyd's Death". WCCO.
  27. "Protests across the globe after George Floyd's death". CNN. June 6, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  28. "George Floyd death: Violence erupts on sixth day of protests". BBC News. June 1, 2020. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  29. Brown, Kyle (13 June 2020). "Minneapolis Police Department says it will not change George Floyd memorial". KSTP.
  30. Al-Arshani, Sarah. "Protesters in Minneapolis say they won't clear barricades around the George Floyd Memorial until the city leaders meet their 24 demands". Insider. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  31. "Protesters Call For Minneapolis Leaders To Meet Demands Before Clearing Barricades Around George Floyd Memorial". WCCO. 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  32. Otárola, Miguel (4 August 2020). "Cup Foods, site where George Floyd was killed, reopens in south Minneapolis". Star Tribune.
  33. Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas and Healy, Jack (15 June 2020). "Cup Foods, a Minneapolis Corner Store Forever Tied to the Death of George Floyd". New York Times. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  34. Pruni, Analise (12 August 2020). "CUP Foods: Good neighbor or bad?". Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.
  35. "City Council approves boundaries for seven new Cultural Districts". City of Minneapolis News. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  36. Burks, Megan (2020-12-11). "George Floyd's Square offers an alternative to police — though not all neighbors want one". MPR News. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  37. Kolls, Jay (2020-12-28). "Minneapolis police claim obstruction following recent shooting; City Council member wants George Floyd Square reopened". KTSP.
  38. Heyward, Giulia L. (15 June 2020). "The Righteous Power of the George Floyd Mural". The New Republic. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  39. Pellerin, Ananda (12 June 2020). "'My emotions were so raw': The people creating art to remember George Floyd". CNN.
  40. Belcamino, Kristi (2020-06-08). "Street art honored George Floyd. Now advocates want to preserve it for history". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  41. Sayej, Nadja. "The Story Behind The Mural At The George Floyd Memorial". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
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  43. Thompson, Howard (2020-10-01). "Minneapolis officials outline options for changes to George Floyd memorial". FOX 9. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
  44. Eler, Alicia (2021-01-22). "Steps from George Floyd Square, this arts center was forged in community". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
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Further reading
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