A woman sits in the memorial space at George Floyd Square, surrounded by art, flowers, and other offerings in front of a mural by Peyton Scott Russell.
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd was murdered outside of Cup Foods by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Through the video filmed by 17-year-old Darnella Frazier, the world could see his death for what it was – a murder, not the "medical incident during police interaction" reported by the police department.
People quickly gathered at the site, barricading streets in the intersection and bringing flowers, art, and other offerings to a memorial that would be held sacred. For over a year, community members, activists, and neighbors held space in the square as a pedestrian-only, community-controlled protest space.
A list of 24 demands was written up by caretakers of the square, saying the city could have their block back once the demands were met.
As the square evolved, more permanent art was made. People built greenhouses, food banks, free clothing closets, a stall of books, and medic stations. The square was filled with planters and scrap-material irrigation as the community set down roots. Caretakers met daily to discuss security and services in the square.
Thousands gathered to find community and healing through the grief and continued trauma of the year.
In late June of 2021, after several attempts by the city the square was opened to traffic. But the art remains, the structures built by the caretakers remain, the flowers and herbs continue to grow season by season. The people remain, both caretakers and visitors from around the world.
"This is a national historical monument," said Jay Webb, de facto head gardener of the square. "I'll say that again. A national. Historical. Monument."
"There is no other place like this on Earth," said Webb. "Shall not be moved, shall not be touched".
People sit at the Say Their Names Cemetery at George Floyd Square. The installation shows gravestones for for people killed by police.
Jay Webb, de facto head gardener of George Floyd Square, plants flowers around the fist sculpture at George Floyd Square.
Children play with bubbles during the People’s Power Love Fest at George Floyd Square on Easter Sunday 2021.
Indigenous learning communities Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue and Kalpulli Tlalocantecuhtli perform during the People’s Power Love Fest at George Floyd Square.
Anthea Yur kisses her child while dancing as Common performs at George Floyd Square on the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder Tuesday, May 25, 2021.
Paper cranes are hung on a clothesline at George Floyd Square, summer 2021.
A person who goes by E paints the newly-moved barricades with handprints June 3, 2021. City employees moved barricades in a first attempt to open the square to traffic after more than a year of pedestrian-only memorial space. Caretakers and activists quickly filled the barricades with art.
Candles, flowers, and a small stuffed unicorn are placed along names of people killed by police at George Floyd Square.
A flag reading “Black Joy” is hung in George Floyd Square during the second week of jury selection for the trial of Derek Chauvin Monday, March 15, 2021.
Caretakers share Pepsi and rum after sitting for the nightly meeting on a cold spring night at George Floyd Square.
George Floyd’s fiance Courtney Ross takes in the scene with caretaker Billy Briggs, at George Floyd Square after lighting candles in votives that volunteers made out of ice. Ross said she doesn’t come to the memorial often since it can be a lot to handle, but that she’s been watching the community-controlled space evolve since the summertime.
The fist sculpture stands surrounded by planters and flowers in George Floyd Square before a nightly meeting.
Spray paint and evolving murals cover a boarded building in George Floyd Square.
People celebrate at George Floyd Square Tuesday, April 20, 2021 after Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges.
Marcia Howard, de facto leader of George Floyd Square’s caretakers, cheers at George Floyd Square Tuesday, April 20, 2021 after Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges.
Billy Briggs changes the sign previously used to mark the days before and during the trial of Derek Chauvin at George Floyd Square Tuesday, April 20, 2021 after Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges.
Hundreds gather at George Floyd Square Tuesday, April 20, 2021 after Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges.
Say Their Names Cemetery, George Floyd Square, summer 2020.
Jay Webb, gardener at George Floyd Square, plants wildflowers in a raised palette Wednesday, July 21, 2021, after the space was opened to traffic. Webb continues to plant flowers, herbs, and some food plants in the square and builds greenhouses for them.
Mileesha Smith, a caretaker at George Floyd Square, live-streams in the greenhouse.
Community members dance at George Floyd Square during a gathering on the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder Tuesday, May 25, 2021.
A woman with “Fuck the Pigs” and “Abolish the Police” painted on her shoes listens to speakers at George Floyd Square after city employees first attempted to reopen George Floyd Square to traffic.
Sarah J. stands behind a box spring at the new makeshift barriers after city employees made a first attempt, which was unsuccessful, to reopen George Floyd Square to traffic June 3, 2021. Traffic did not come through until weeks later.
A car drives through George Floyd Square Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Caretakers continue to meet, hold space, and take visitors through the space on foot after traffic barricades came down.
Jay Webb, de facto head gardener at George Floyd Square, addresses attendees during an open house at Phelps Field Park to receive feedback on permanent plans for the square Saturday, April 23, 2022.
The growing collection of pieces of art lean against one of the bus stops contained in George Floyd Square.
Courtney Ross, fiancé of George Floyd, wipes away a tear after visiting his headstone at the Say Their names Cemetery at George Floyd Square on the two-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Ray Curt plays violin as hundreds of people enter the Say Their Names Cemetery at George Floyd Square on the two-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Hundreds gather at George Floyd Square on the two-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Seeds planted by visitors grow into a flower around George Floyd’s representative headstone at the Say Their Names Cemetery at George Floyd Square on the two-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder Wednesday, May 25, 2022.