In 9 minutes and 29 seconds, George Floyd was killed, forever changing this neighborhood
MINNEAPOLIS Nine minutes and 29 seconds was enough time for 46 cars to pass 38th Street and Chicago Avenue.
In the same 9 minutes and 29 seconds, 18 customers went in and out of the convenience store on the corner. Six patrons bought beverages or snacks from the coffee shop across the street. Four people signed up for a guided tour of the neighborhood in front of the gas station. Four visiting Chicagoans took pictures of the flowers, stuffed animals, potted plants, posters and other ephemera that form a makeshift memorial.
For 9 minutes and 29 seconds on May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee and the weight of his body against George Floyds neck at this very intersection. As Floyd called for his mother in his final words, Chauvin killed him in the street as people watched. Two officers held the unarmed, handcuffed Black man down. A third monitored the crowd that was stunned by what it witnessed.
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What followed five years ago was an uprising that resulted in burned buildings and cars, and looting throughout Minneapolis, but was largely peaceful in parts of the country. Floyds murder prompted outraged responses from politicians, businesses, schools and other institutions nationwide, with vows to deal with Americas deep-seated racial injustices. Companies pledged more than $66 billion for racial equity initiatives. Cries for police reform were thrust into the forefront.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/9-minutes-29-seconds-george-090000561.html

LiveToLurk
(300 posts)I watched the video and I could not believe what that POS cop did. That smarmy little grin when people were yelling at him to just let the guy breathe. We joined in the protest but just went about 10 blocks or so and came back (we are old). But no one was really prepared for everything that happened, We were told to keep all the lights on around our house, and keep the outside water hoses on. I yelled at a few kids to get their asses home during the curfew. WCCO had some amazing coverage - watching our neighborhood stores getting destroyed in real time. Just so sad all around. I got a ton of photos that I took - I'll try to find a way to post them.
Clouds Passing
(4,877 posts)