Minneapolis Events Will Mark Anniversary Of George Floyd's Death

MINNEAPOLIS — Nearly one year ago, on May 25, 2020, George Floyd died while in the hands of Minneapolis police. His death, seen by countless people on a bystander's video, ignited a global movement for police reform and racial justice.

Marking the anniversary of his death, Minnesotans will celebrate Floyd's life while pushing for political change.

Three different events scheduled for next week were organized by the George Floyd Memorial Foundation and Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network:

George Floyd Inaugural Remembrance

When: Sunday, May 23

• Rally at 4 p.m., march at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Downtown Minneapolis outside of the Hennepin County Courthouse

Focus: The family of George Floyd will lead a rally and march. Rev. Al Sharpton, attorney Ben Crump, local activists, elected officials, clergy, and community leaders will also attend.

Virtual 'Day of Action'

When: Monday, May 24

Where: Online

Focus: On the "Virtual Day of Action," people are encouraged to use social media to call for justice and urge lawmakers to support "critical legislation." Resources are provided.

Celebration of Life

When: Tuesday, May 25 at 11 a.m.

Where: Commons Park

Focus: Celebrate life through Black culture, art, history, and support local businesses.

Remembering George Floyd's death, one year later

The celebrations will occur about a month after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd for more than nine minutes despite his protests that he could not breathe, was convicted of murder and manslaughter.

Chauvin will be sentenced on June 25. He faces up to 40 years in prison.

Just after 8 p.m. on Memorial Day, 2020, police responded to the Cup Foods store on 38th Street and Chicago Avenue South in Minneapolis on a report of a "forgery in progress."

Outside the store, police told Floyd he was under arrest. In a video seen around the world, Floyd is heard telling officers "I can't breathe" while being forced down onto the street. He also asks for water.

Bystanders yelled at Chauvin to get off of him. Officers Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane assisted Chauvin. A fourth officer — Tou Thao — ordered people, including an off-duty EMS worker, to back away from the scene.

Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck even after he went motionless. All four officers who were at the scene were fired the next day and were later criminally charged.

Thao, Kueng, and Lane still face charges of aiding and abetting unintentional second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. Their trial was delayed until 2022 to make room for a federal civil rights trial involving all four officers, including Chauvin.