Minneapolis Police Chief Vows Peace Around George Floyd Square

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Local and state law enforcement agencies are asking for public cooperation for peaceful demonstrations and safety around the intersection where memorials are being placed for George Floyd and as the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin prepares to begin.

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo said Wednesday that the city will partner with state and federal law enforcement agencies to monitor crime around the closed-off intersection at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue after recent gun violence has taken place in the area. The intersection, which is now known as George Floyd Square, has become a target for violence after it was used for reflection and memorials to be placed in Floyd’s honor.

City officials had said that the intersection, which is blocked off by temporary concrete barriers, wouldn’t reopen until after the completion of Chauvin’s trial. Chauvin faces murder charges in Floyd’s death after footage showed the former officer keeping his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes last year. Floyd died while in police custody last Memorial Day weekend.

Arradondo said Wednesday that he would not allow the trial to dictate when the intersection reopens but pledged that the presence of more law enforcement area would curb the recent violence. The chief said at the news conference that several agencies, including the FBI, would work together to restore peace in the area.

“We cannot allow groups or individuals (who commit violent acts) to feel emboldened,” Arradondo said Wednesday. “They have to be held accountable, period. I’m putting them on notice. Enough’s enough.”

On Thursday, the Minnesota State Patrol asked for residents to remain peaceful as Chauvin’s trial begins. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin March 29 and nine jurors have been seated so far. On Wednesday, two jurors were removed after news of the $27 million settlement that was reached between Floyd’s family and the City of Minneapolis moved Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill to run potential jurors through a second round of questioning.

Five more jurors are needed before the trial can begin but on Thursday, Col. Matt Langer pleaded for people to remain peaceful as the legal proceedings involving Chauvin begin.

“Please help us continue to keep the peace,” Langer said Thursday. “…We still need your help.”

As for the timeline for reopening the intersection where the Floyd memorials have been taking place, Minneapolis Mayor said he would work with the police chief to ensure everyone’s safety. Mayor Jacob Frey said that before the intersection can reopen, city crews must be able to feel safe in removing the barricades that have been blocking off the intersection, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported.

Frey said that the city is also working to install a bump-out at the location in order to “prevent tires from ever rolling across that sacred location again,” the newspaper reported.

Arradondo said that until a determination can be made when the intersection will reopen, law enforcement agencies will work together to keep the violence that has been taking place from continuing. Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk said Wednesday that federal charges will be levied against anyone who uses firearms during robberies or car-jackings or while dealing drugs.

Folk told reporters Wednesday at the news conference that business owners, residents and others who live or run businesses near the intersection have become fearful over the activity that is taking place near George Floyd Square.

Arradondo said he is committed to ending the violence in an area where crime has become problematic, going from three victims of non-fatal gunshot violence in 2019 to 18 victims last year.

"As chief I refuse to abdicate one block, one city block, to a group of individuals who choose violence over peace," Arradondo said.