Preserving, Moving George Floyd Square, Differing Thoughts Arise

A+symbol+of+the+BLM+movement+was+constructed+in+downtown+Minneapolis+with+scrap+materials+left+from+the+civil+unrest+this+past+summer

Karsten Farris

A symbol of the BLM movement was constructed in downtown Minneapolis with scrap materials left from the civil unrest this past summer

Ryker Kemberling , Staff Writer
January 27, 2021

George Floyd Square, located at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Ave in Minneapolis, was created following another instance of police brutality. On May 25 2020, Floyd was killed by a police officer. Following this tragic event, the square has been decorated with hundreds of paintings and sculptures and remains a place to memorialize Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement. George Floyd Square has existed since the day after Floyd’s death, but questions about its permanence are rising.
(Karsten Farris)
Karsten Farris
Cole Herron ‘22 says, “I do think it is important to leave [George Floyd Square] where it is because it’s an important part of history.” Maia Schifman ‘22 echoes this saying, “I think that it [George Floyd Square] is a good place for a memorial, a physical symbol of the movement and a good place for people to go visit. I think it should stay, I think it will be significant for a while.” Gabe Mendoza ‘22, on the other hand, proposes a compromise saying, “I’ve never been to George Floyd Square, I think it shouldn’t be completely removed, but replaced somewhere else. I understand the symbolism of it being where he died. I think it should be moved to a park somewhere else.”
(Karsten Farris)
Karsten Farris