City of Minneapolis Moves to Reopen ‘George Floyd Square’

Public works crews in Minneapolis began reopening the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, called George Floyd Square, on June 3, for the first time in more than a year. Footage shared by journalist Kiya Edwards shows demonstrators gathered on Thursday morning at the site, where memorials have been erected to Floyd, who died there after former police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. A sculpture of a raised fist would remain at the site, the Star Tribune reported, but a garden around it would shrink so that buses, firetrucks, and other essential vehicles could use the road. According to the Star Tribune, city officials showed up to remove barricades around 4:30 am on Thursday. Bobcats and front-end loaders were used to remove barricades protecting the memorial site, footage shows. Reports said protesters built new barriers using a dumpster, furniture, and parked vans. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city began its “phased reconnection” of the intersection, but said the site would “forever be changed” because of what happened there. Credit: Kiya Edwards via Storyful

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