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CBS News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
George Floyd Square gardener reflects on 5 years of cultivating memorial
Sunday marks five years since the police murder of George Floyd sparked worldwide protests and a racial justice movement. Members of Floyd's family on Friday joined a crowd in a moment of silence, just steps from where he drew his last breath in south Minneapolis. A man who tends the garden at the intersection where Floyd was murdered hopes something good can grow from painful memories. "This is our response: beauty for ashes," said Jay Webb. Out of the ashes of the uprising after the murder of Floyd, this garden in the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue stands. Jay Webb WCCO "Sometimes you do things and it's revealed to you later, you just got to step out on faith," Webb said. Webb decided a garden was needed. "It's for everyone that's ever fallen to injustice," said Webb. And for five years he has tilled this land, not as a job, but a calling. "My intention was that they will never, ever be able to pass here without remembering, " said Webb. "Underneath this garden is written the words peace, love, charity, prosperity. That which is seen comes from that which is unseen." He has witnessed people come to this plot of soil from far and near. Webb believes the flowers, plants and signs empower them to do better. "Our friend now, Dave Chappelle, we planted with and the purpose with planting for everyone who's planted whether it's from Czechoslovakia or South Africa or Uzbekistan is invite them and they would stand in the gap for all their countries, all their family, their ancestors and they would take in the authority, they would dig out this and then put a plant to replace that, that's what the prayer was," said Webb. Digging out what is bad and replacing it with what is good. For five years, this has been Webb's vision, and when asked what has changed, he said, "Belief, reverence, respect." Respect for the fallen and belief that we will move forward together, stronger than ever.
CBS News
09-05-2025
- CBS News
Twin Cities Native American community find strength by coming together after violent week
How the American Indian community is healing after a violent week in Minneapolis How the American Indian community is healing after a violent week in Minneapolis How the American Indian community is healing after a violent week in Minneapolis After days of deadly violence rocked the Native American community last week, culture and community were the focus in south Minneapolis. Four people were killed and one more was hurt in a shooting Tuesday night in Minneapolis that police said may have been gang related. The shooting occurred at East 25th Street and Bloomington Avenue just before midnight, according to the city's police department. The next day, another deadly shooting outside the Red Lake Nation embassy added to security concerns. Now, an organization that's put in decades of work to offer opportunities is also helping them heal. Thursday afternoon, drums echoed as community gathered outside the American Indian OIC, a symbol of strength in the wake of loss. "We are all feeling this pain," said Dr. Joe Hobot, American Indian OIC president. The gathering falling on the birthday of Native American activist Clyde Bellecourt, who founded the American Indian OIC. The annual block party and career fair during Minnesota's American Indian Month took on a different tone. While the event still featured music, food and job recruiters, organizers allowed people to gather and reflect. Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan was among the attendees. "We bring strength of our community together like a large family. Lift each other up and continue moving towards the world we are building," Hobot said. Crow Bellecourt, also in attendance on the drums, believes culture is crucial to saving lives. "Drums, culture, ceremonies if we can teach our young people that that's what will bring us together," Bellecourt said.
