Photo Gallery: George Floyd's murder shook Twin Cities five years ago
The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin five years ago sparked outrage in the Twin Cities and around the world.
A widely circulated video, which drew nearly universal condemnation, showed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for several minutes on the evening of May 25, 2020, even after the 47-year-old Black man lay motionless beneath him.
Protesters gathered the next day at the site of Floyd's death near 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, before marching to the Third Precinct headquarters of the Minneapolis Police Department, where Chauvin worked.
The demonstrations would continue nearly nonstop for several days across the Twin Cities, with thousands turning out to protest Floyd's murder and police brutality writ large. Several local officials joined activists in calling for the officers involved in Floyd's death to face criminal charges.
For four days, protests devolved into riots when night fell. Along Lake Street in Minneapolis and in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul, stores were looted and hundreds of buildings damaged — some destroyed — by fire.
Each morning, neighbors and business owners gathered to clean up debris and salvage what they could from the previous night's destruction. Among the structures gutted by flames was the Third Precinct itself, which was abandoned by police.
On May 29, Chauvin became the first of four officers charged in Floyd's death. That same day, Minnesota National Guard soldiers were deployed on Twin Cities streets, but looting and arson continued.
It wasn't until the following evening when an 8 p.m. curfew was implemented for much of the metro that the overnight rioting dropped off, while peaceful protests continued.
Joe Soucheray: George Floyd Square is an embarrassment to the man it's supposed to honor
Ex-Minneapolis police chief recalls 'absolutely gut-wrenching' moment of seeing George Floyd video
George Floyd: Minneapolis, St. Paul events mark his death, community response
Justice Department moves to cancel Minneapolis police reform settlement
Minnesota Freedom Fund to stop bailing out jailed defendants
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