Description

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered by former MPD officers. This event sparked an uprising by the community in protest to systemic racism within the City of Minneapolis. On May 30, 2020, police vehicles drove through the George Floyd memorial in the middle of the night, causing the community to establish barricades to prevent vehicles from entering the intersection. On June 2, 2020, the City of Minneapolis placed cement barricades at the street entrances of George Floyd Square for pedestrian safety. For weeks, city employees and community members engaged in conversations to discuss what happens next and address the needs of the community. On August 6, 2020, city employees informed a handful of community leaders and business owners that despite no consensus, the City intends to remove the barricades the week of August 17th. I am concerned about reopening 38th Street without a permanent plan for the memorial and the potential impacts on the health and safety of my community.