//Five Years After George Floyd: How Minneapolis Has Changed — And How It Hasn’t//

By [sanjoy kumar sutradhar] |May 26, 2025

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On May 25, 2020, the world witnessed a horrifying moment: George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was murdered by a police officer in broad daylight on a Minneapolis street. The viral video of Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over 9 minutes became a defining image of modern civil rights struggle. Five years later, how has Minneapolis changed?

Is it a more just and equitable place now? Are communities safer? Is trust restored between police and citizens? This comprehensive report explores the evolution of Minneapolis through the lens of social justice, law enforcement, racial equity, and economic resilience.

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A Tragic Moment That Changed History

The death of George Floyd didn’t just spark outrage — it sparked a global reckoning on police brutality and systemic racism. Minneapolis became the epicenter of a movement, and “I Can’t Breathe” became a rallying cry heard around the world.

Cities burned. Streets flooded with protestors. And Minneapolis — the city where it all began — found itself facing unprecedented questions about its future.

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The Uprising: Protests and Civil Unrest

Peaceful Protests Turn Violent

The initial protests were largely peaceful, but as frustration boiled over, rioting, looting, and arson engulfed parts of the city. Over 1,500 businesses were damaged, including the now-infamous 3rd Precinct Police Station, which was abandoned and burned.

National and International Attention

What started in Minneapolis spread across the U.S., from Los Angeles to New York, and then around the world — London, Tokyo, Sydney. Floyd’s murder exposed a global grievance and highlighted long-standing racial injustices.

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What Happened to George Floyd Square?

A Site of Mourning and Memory

The intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue where Floyd was killed became a sacred ground: George Floyd Square. A large sculpture of a clenched fist, murals, and flowers turned the area into a pilgrimage site.

Pedestrian Mall or Open Street?

Today, debate rages on. Many City Council members want to make the square a pedestrian-only memorial mall. But Mayor Jacob Frey and some local business owners fear that closing off traffic would further harm the economy of the struggling area.

Crime and Safety Concerns

After Floyd’s death, the area became known as a “no-go zone” for police. Though officers have returned and are engaging more positively, crime remains high in surrounding neighborhoods.

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Policing in Minneapolis: Reforms and Roadblocks

Court-Ordered Changes

Following years of allegations of racism, abuse, and excessive force, the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) is under multiple consent decrees — from both state and federal agencies — to improve policies and reduce racial bias.

New Training and Oversight

Officers now undergo:

• De-escalation training

• Bias and diversity education

• Increased supervision and accountability

Still, some activists say the reforms are too slow, and meaningful change is yet to be seen in everyday policing.

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Defund the Police: Rise and Fall of a Movement

The Slogan That Shook America

“Defund the Police” became a powerful — and polarizing — slogan in the summer of 2020. Minneapolis was ground zero for the movement, with many council members initially backing full-scale police restructuring.

Public Vote and Rejection

In 2021, voters were given a choice to replace MPD with a new public safety agency. The proposal was rejected, as fears about rising crime outpaced reformist momentum.

Staffing Crisis and Recovery

MPD lost over 300 officers after the unrest, with retirements, resignations, and disability claims causing a staffing crisis. Only in 2024 did recruitment begin to rebound, thanks to community outreach and leadership change.

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Crime Trends and Community Safety

A Spike and Return to Baseline

Following Floyd’s murder and amid the COVID-19 pandemic, violent crime spiked, peaking in 2021. But by 2025, levels have mostly returned to pre-pandemic baselines, though homicides remain slightly elevated.

Community Engagement

New initiatives focus on community policing, mental health response teams, and non-violent conflict resolution, all of which aim to rebuild trust between citizens and law enforcement.

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Economic Impact: Business, Jobs, and Inequality

Struggles for Black-Owned Businesses

The neighborhoods hardest hit by the unrest were already facing economic challenges. Black-owned businesses, in particular, suffered immense losses, and recovery has been slow.

Unity Foods and the Local Economy

The store formerly known as Cup Foods, near where Floyd died, has been renamed Unity Foods, symbolizing hope and healing. Yet, economic recovery remains uneven, with many storefronts still boarded up or vacant.

Calls for Investment

Activists and entrepreneurs call on city leaders to:

• Provide grants and low-interest loans for local businesses

• Expand job training programs

• Invest in affordable housing and education

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Racial Equity: Have Promises Been Kept?

The Pledge to Dismantle Systemic Racism

Following Floyd’s death, city leaders promised bold action to combat racial inequality. But how much has actually been done?

Wins and Losses

• ✅ Equity hiring initiatives in public departments

• ✅ Curriculum updates in Minneapolis Public Schools

• ❌ Limited progress in closing wealth and homeownership gaps

• ❌ Healthcare disparities still exist, particularly for maternal health

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Federal and Local Politics in Play

Federal Consent Decrees and Their Fate

Just days before the 5th anniversary of Floyd’s death, the Trump administration moved to cancel consent decrees in Minneapolis and Louisville — both cities with police departments accused of systemic abuse.

Mayor Frey called it “political theater,” while Police Chief Brian O’Hara said reforms would continue with or without federal oversight.

Political Ramifications

The move has ignited criticism from civil rights advocates and reignited debates on how committed local and national leaders are to true reform.

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Voices From the Community

Alfred “A.J.” Flowers Jr.

Local activist A.J. Flowers says the protests were the result of “years of pain” in the Black community. He emphasizes the importance of George Floyd Square as a symbol of collective trauma and unity.

Michelle Gross, CUAPB

Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality, remains skeptical of the city’s progress: “What’s claimed in reports isn’t what people feel on the street.”

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A City Still Healing: The Future of Minneapolis

The 3rd Precinct and the Democracy Center

After years of debate, the burned remains of the 3rd Precinct station are finally being replaced with a “Democracy Center,” which will include voter services and community programs.

Long-Term Transformation

True change takes time. While Minneapolis has made some progress, deep wounds remain. The next five years will determine whether the city can truly become a model for racial justice and community safety.

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Progress, Pain, and Purpose

Five years after George Floyd’s murder, Minneapolis stands at a crossroads. The city has implemented reforms, created memorials, and sparked global conversations — but the work is far from over.

There is no easy fix for generations of injustice. But every policy shift, every community program, every small act of unity — they matter. As the city continues to grieve and grow, one truth remains:

Justice is not a destination — it's a journey.

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💬 Share Your Thoughts

How do you feel about the changes in Minneapolis since George Floyd's death? Are reforms making a difference in your community? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!