Minneapolis named stretch of street for George Floyd

City plans to reopen 38th Street following Derek Chauvin’s trial

A stretch of a Minneapolis street that includes the place where George Floyd was killed was renamed in his honour.

Although the street will still be called Chicago Avenue, the city will refer to the blocks between 37th and 39th streets as George Perry Floyd Jr Place, the Star Tribune reported.

The City Council approved the naming last summer, and mayor Jacob Frey’s office confirmed shortly after that he would sign off on the idea.

Mr Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died on 25 May after Derek Chauvin, a white officer, pressed his knee against Mr Floyd’s neck even as he said he couldn’t breathe. Mr Floyd’s death was captured in widely seen bystander video that set off protests around the world.

Months after Mr Floyd’s death, the intersection remains barricaded and now holds a memorial. A group of demonstrators has occupied the area, saying they will not leave until the city meets their demands, including funding for anti-racism training and a temporary property tax freeze for people within that zone.

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The city had attempted to reopen 38th Street, but backed off, avoiding a confrontation. They now plan to reopen it after Mr Chauvin’s high-profile trial.

Opening statements in Mr Chauvin’s trial begin on 29 March, while his co-defendants are not expected to stand trial until the summer due to concerns over the ability to adhere to coronavirus guidelines in the courtroom.