George Floyd protests in Minnesota

This is a list of George Floyd protests in Minnesota. The protests began as local protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul the day after George Floyd was killed during an arrest in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, before reaching other locations in the U.S. state of Minnesota, the United States, and internationally. The events are ongoing.

George Floyd protests in Minnesota
Part of Black Lives Matter movement
and George Floyd protests
Protesters march in Duluth, Minnesota, June 19, 2020
DateMay 26, 2020 – present (8 months, 1 week and 6 days)
Location
Various locations in the U.S. state of Minnesota
Caused by
Goals
MethodsProtests, demonstrations, civil disobedience, civil resistance
StatusOngoing

Background
Main article: Killing of George Floyd
Further information: George Floyd protests

In the years prior to the death of George Floyd, Minneapolis had seen several police officer-involved shootings and subsequent protests.[3] In 2015, the shooting of Jamar Clark resulted in no repercussions for the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers involved, and in 2016, the shooting of Philando Castile in nearby Falcon Heights resulted in a jury acquittal for an involved officer. In 2017, the shooting of Justine Damond, by a black police officer, resulted in a twelve-and-a-half-year prison sentence. After Floyd's death, Minneapolis residents responded to the buildup of unanswered grievances and the lack of concrete changes to living conditions due to structural racism.[4][5][3]

Locations

Albert Lea

On June 2, hundreds of protesters rallied for police accountability at the Freeborn County Courthouse and then marched around town despite severely hot weather. Director of Public Safety JD Carlson told protesters that he did not support Chauvin's actions against Floyd in Minneapolis, and offered an open door between the community and the police department. Freeborn County Sheriff Kurt Freitag expressed concern for the protesters, and recommended that they come prepared with water and sun protection if protesting in summer.[6]

Austin

On May 31, approximately 300 protesters rallied at Bandshell Community Park and marched to the law enforcement center before returning to the park and disbanding.[7][8] Another protest occurred on the 25th of July.

Bemidji

On May 30, between 300 and 500 protesters marched from Paul Bunyan Park to the Bemidji Police Department; the demonstration was peaceful until some protesters attacked a D.A.R.E. truck, which then backed into a crowd of demonstrators and mildly injured an event volunteer. After the protest, mayor Rita Albrecht signed a declaration of a curfew between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.[9]

Bloomington

On July 5, the 10K Foundation organized a march from the Mall of America in Bloomington to the George Floyd memorial site in downtown Minneapolis.[10][11][12]

Brainerd

On May 29, over 60 people gathered at a busy intersection to support Black Lives Matter and protest the death of George Floyd.[13]

Duluth

On May 28, around 100 protesters blocked traffic at a busy intersection to protest the death of George Floyd.[14] On May 30, several hundred protesters temporarily blocked portions of Interstate 35.[15][16] Several highways closed, including Interstate 35, Interstate 394, Interstate 94 and Highway 55.[17] A curfew from 10 p.m. CDT through 6 p.m. CDT Sunday morning was imposed by Duluth city leaders.[18]

On May 31, more than 1,000 protesters marched on I-35. Eight properties were damaged including an expletive written on the ground below the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial for historical lynching victims.[19]

On June 19, hundreds marched in Duluth for Juneteenth.[20]

Ely

On June 6, approximately 250 protesters marched down Chapman Street from Central Avenue to Whiteside Park in support of Black Lives Matter. The protest was peaceful with no incidents of violence. Once arriving at the park, most protesters kneeled in silence for 8 minutes 46 seconds.[21]

Mankato

On May 29, hundreds of protesters marched through downtown Mankato in a peaceful demonstration. The rally began at Veterans Memorial Bridge and went through Washington park and to the Mankato Public Safety Center.[22]

Minneapolis–Saint Paul
Main articles: George Floyd protests in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, George Floyd Square, and 2020–2021 Minneapolis–Saint Paul racial unrest
Minnesota National Guard and local law enforcement standing guard at the Minnesota State Capitol building in St. Paul on May 30

The first George Floyd protests took place in Minneapolis on May 26, the day after his death while under the custody of Minneapolis police officers, and spread to neighboring St. Paul. On May 28, after protests turned violent, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey declared a state of emergency and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard.[23] Demonstrations in Minneapolis–St. Paul are ongoing as protesters seek justice for Floyd and reform of policing, and have inspired protests and political action in Minnesota, the United States, and internationally.[24]

On June 9, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a statewide proclamation declaring eight minutes and 46 seconds of silence at 11:00 a.m. CDT to coincide with the beginning of Floyd's funeral in Houston, Texas. The length of time was how long Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pinned Floyd on the pavement using his knee.[25]

Owatonna

On May 31, over 200 protesters demonstrated along Hoffman Drive to show solidarity with George Floyd. They traveled to the Law Enforcement Center, where they spoke with officers from Owatonna and from neighboring counties. They also held a moment of silence for eight minutes and forty-six seconds to honor Floyd.[26]

Rochester

On May 29, over 150 protesters marched from Soldiers Field to the Government Center building and back to protest the death of George Floyd.[27] On June 7, protesters marched from Silver Lake to the Olmsted County Government Center.[28]

St. Cloud

On May 29, after hundreds of people gathered for a memorial for George Floyd at Lake George Township, a portion of the crowd marched through downtown St. Cloud, stopping at the Stearns County Courthouse to hold a moment of silence for Floyd before turning back to Lake George.[29]

Woodbury

On June 1, a group of about 40 protesters gathered in Ojibway Park to rally against police brutality. Another protest took place on June 4 as protesters marched from Colby Lake to Woodbury City Hall.[30]

See also

References
  1. Robertson, Nicky (May 30, 2020). "US surgeon general says "there is no easy prescription to heal our nation"". CNN. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  2. Goldberg, Michelle (May 29, 2020). "Opinion - America Is a Tinderbox". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  3. Harris, Mary (June 1, 2020). "Why Does This Keep Happening in Minneapolis?". Slate Magazine. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  4. Hinton, Elizabeth (May 29, 2020). "The Minneapolis Uprising in Context". Boston Review.
  5. Lowery, Story by Wesley. "Why Minneapolis Was the Breaking Point". The Atlantic. ISSN 1072-7825. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  6. "Protest for police accountability in Albert Lea: 'Important to open up that dialogue'". KIMT News. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  7. "Austin community members host peaceful protest". ABC 6 News. KAAL-TV. May 31, 2020.
  8. "Peaceful protest concerning the death of George Floyd held Sunday at Austin's Bandshell Park". My Austin Minnesota. June 1, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  9. Gandsey, Jillian. "Protesters march to Bemidji Police Department, city enacts curfew". Bemidji Pioneer. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  10. "Protesters march from Mall of America to George Floyd memorial to demand justice". KSTP. July 5, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  11. "From Mall Of America To George Floyd Memorial, Protesters March For 'New America'". July 6, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  12. "PHOTOS: Protesters organize Friday evening in Bloomington". hometownsource.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  13. Lagarde, Gabriel D. (May 29, 2020). "Over 60 gather at 6th and Washington in Brainerd to protest racial injustice". Brainerd Dispatch. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  14. "Protests over George Floyd's death spread to Duluth". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  15. Erickson, Andee; Lawler, Christa (May 30, 2020). "Protesters block Interstate 35 in Duluth". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  16. Cardinale, John (May 30, 2020). "I-35 back open in Duluth Saturday after protesters block traffic". CBS3Duluth. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  17. Cunningham, Shawn (May 30, 2020). "Highways into Minneapolis shutdown tonight". CNN. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  18. LeSavage, Briggs (May 31, 2020). "Duluth imposes 10 p.m. curfew Saturday night, lasting into Sunday morning". CBS3Duluth. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  19. "Duluth protests over George Floyd's death called unprecedented". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  20. Jun 19th 2020 - 5pm, News Tribune |. "Demonstrators march in Duluth on Juneteenth". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  21. "An Ely march for solidarity | The Ely Echo". www.elyecho.com. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  22. Cureton, Gage (May 29, 2020). "Hundreds of demonstrators march through Mankato, protest George Floyd's death". KEYC Mankato via msn.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  23. "Minnesota Calls National Guard to Quell Violent Protests in Minneapolis". VOA. May 29, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  24. Sergent, Jim; Loehrke, Janet; Padilla, Ramon; Hertel, Nora (June 1, 2020). "George Floyd protests: How did we get here?". usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  25. Walsh, Paul (June 9, 2020). "Gov. Tim Walz calls for 8 minutes, 46 seconds of silence today in honor of George Floyd". Star Tribune. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  26. "10-hour protest ends with demonstrators, law enforcement taking a knee". Owatonna People's Press. June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  27. Reed, Jordyn (May 29, 2020). "Rochester protest for George Floyd". abc6news.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  28. "GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS: A march against injustice". KTTC. June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  29. Baker, Clairissa. "Peaceful demonstrations follow memorial for George Floyd in St. Cloud". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  30. "Woodbury joins wave of protests with memorial march Thursday". Bring Me the News. June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
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