George Floyd Square: A Lasting Beacon of Justice, Healing, and Hope — Honored Across the Nation, Including Wyoming
When George Perry Floyd was murdered by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on May 25, 2020, the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in South Minneapolis was forever transformed. What was once a regular city crossing has become a powerful symbol of protest, unity, and remembrance — a sacred space now known as George Floyd Square.
Five years later, this space remains a cornerstone for justice, healing, and community reflection. As Minneapolis marks the fifth anniversary of Floyd’s death, George Floyd Square once again becomes the heart of the commemorative “Rise and Remember” festival — a three-day event focused on collective grief, joy, and continued healing.
“We have been through collective trauma and a major fight against racism. We marched, we fought, and we have sustained our collective work,” said Angela Harrelson, George Floyd’s aunt and board co-chair of the George Floyd Global Memorial, in a statement on the event website.
National Movement and Wyoming’s Shared Stand
While the events center on Minneapolis, the impact of George Floyd’s death — and the movement for justice it ignited — reaches across the country, including in places like Wyoming, where activists, churches, and communities continue to stand in solidarity.
One way that solidarity is being shown this weekend is through a renewed boycott of Target, a company headquartered in Minneapolis. The Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant has called for a National Target Boycott after the company reversed some of its DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) commitments made in the wake of Floyd’s death.
Bryant urged people to take a “spiritual stand for justice, remembrance, and hope”, writing on Instagram, “Wait until the world sees 50 churches across the country rise up in righteous indignation on Sunday with peaceful prayer protest!”
A Living Memorial With Purpose
Writer Michael Kleber-Diggs recently reflected on a walk through George Floyd Square for Minneapolis.org. He noted the presence of the original 24 community demands still posted outside the People’s Way, many of which remain unmet but continue to guide local activism. These include efforts to bring officers to justice, invest in the square, support grassroots organizations, and preserve the area as a living memorial.
The square has evolved into a space filled with intention and purpose. From a community library and clothing donation station to gardens and a bus stop-turned-information kiosk, it serves not just as a memorial, but as a living hub of community empowerment and care.
Kleber-Diggs summed up the spirit of the space simply:
“As I left George Perry Floyd Square, my main takeaway was this: the work continues. Good people are still there working to imagine better and to make a better and safer world a reality.”
Harrelson echoed that sentiment:
“Now is the time for the people to rise up and continue the good work we started. We must not let Perry’s death be his last word.”
As communities from Minneapolis to Wyoming gather to honor George Floyd’s life and legacy, George Floyd Square stands not just as a site of memory, but as a call to action — a reminder that justice, healing, and unity are still worth fighting for.
