The murder of George Floyd

The killing of George Floyd, 46, of St. Louis Park — who repeatedly told a Minneapolis police officer he couldn’t breathe as the officer knelt on his neck on May 25, 2020 — sparked days of unrest in Minneapolis and St. Paul and mass protests across the globe over the treatment of Black people by police. 

Since then, lawmakers both nationally and locally have debated police reform and whether law enforcement officers must change how they do their jobs. In schools, educators and students have tackled discussions on race and equity, sometimes with controversy. And across Minnesota, community members have marched and come together in a call for change

In April 2021, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin — who pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes — was convicted of murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death. He was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison.

The three other ex-cops who were involved with the arrest have been charged with two counts each of aiding and abetting in the death. Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao go on trial in June 2022.

A federal grand jury has also indicted all four on criminal civil rights charges.

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The state of Lake Street 4 years since George Floyd’s murder
Saturday will mark four years since Floyd’s death. Each day this week on Minnesota Now, we look at a different impact. On Wednesday, the focus is Lake Street and efforts to rebuild the corridor after the uprising.
Voices of Minnesota: Calls for change across the state
Protests large and small have emerged across Minnesota since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. MPR News is talking to some of the people behind rallies, marches and demonstrations happening beyond the Twin Cities metro area — about their experiences with race in Minnesota, why they march and what they hope for the future.
The state of activism in Minnesota 4 years since George Floyd’s murder
Saturday will mark four years since Floyd’s death. Each day this week on Minnesota Now, we look at a different impact. On Tuesday, the focus is activism and the grassroots work that continues years after the uprising.
Lawsuit: Woman alleges Chauvin also kneeled on her months before George Floyd’s murder
A lawsuit filed in federal court Tuesday alleges then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and a partner used excessive force that was similar to that used in the murder of George Floyd later that same year.
Minneapolis releases officer misconduct data, nearly 4 years after Floyd killing, protests
It's been nearly four years since George Floyd died at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. Recently, the city released documents showing at least a dozen officers were disciplined for misconduct during that time. MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talks to the Minnesota Reformer’s Deena Winter, who took a deep dive into that data.
Minneapolis says all post-riot recommendations after George Floyd’s murder have been implemented
Minneapolis city leaders said Tuesday that they’ve finished implementing 27 recommendations from an after-action review that found a variety of problems with the public safety response to the rioting that followed George Floyd’s murder by police in 2020.
Minneapolis to share new emergency response program in wake of after-action report completion
The after-action report included 27 recommendations to improve emergency response following the riots after George Floyd’s murder.
This is how reporters documented 1,000 deaths after police force that isn't supposed to be fatal
After George Floyd was killed under a Minneapolis police officer’s knee, reporters at The Associated Press wanted to know how many other people died following encounters in which law enforcement used not firearms but other kinds of force that is not supposed to be fatal.
Minneapolis plans community safety center, police precinct under same roof
The city of Minneapolis is moving forward with plans for two new community safety centers along the Lake Street corridor. One is expected to house the new 3rd Precinct police station and would also include social service agencies.
Finding meaning in George Floyd’s death through protest art left at his murder site
For months after George Floyd was killed by police in May 2020, people from around the world traveled to the site of his murder in Minneapolis and left signs, paintings and poems. Now hundreds of those artifacts are being displayed at an exhibit at the Arizona State University Art Museum. It’s the first time the work is on public display outside of Minnesota.