Culture

What Minneapolis Really Looks Like After the George Floyd Uprising

If you’ve only seen the burned police precinct, this is what you’re missing

By Alex Lauer
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The response to George Floyd’s murder at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department has been surprisingly heartening and regrettably predictable. His killing sent shockwaves through the country, leading to massive protests. However, the civil rights demonstrations have in some cases boiled over into looting and rioting, and those inclined toward the phrase “All Lives Matter” have latched onto the latter. The one thing the protesters and the denouncers have in common? If they don’t live in the Twin Cities, there’s a good chance they have no idea what the real community response has been. Yes, a police precinct is burned. Yes, rebuilding businesses may cost </span><a href="https://www.startribune.com/twin-cities-rebuilding-begins-with-donations-pressure-on-government/571075592/"><span style="font-weight: 400">$500 million</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">. But to give outsiders a first-hand view of how city residents are coming together in support of their Black neighbors, photographer </span><a href="http://www.deenstudio.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Wale Agboola</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> captured the truly astounding patchwork of murals, memorials and street art that has flourished throughout the city.</span></p>

The response to George Floyd’s murder at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department has been surprisingly heartening and regrettably predictable. His killing sent shockwaves through the country, leading to massive protests. However, the civil rights demonstrations have in some cases boiled over into looting and rioting, and those inclined toward the phrase “All Lives Matter” have latched onto the latter. The one thing the protesters and the denouncers have in common? If they don’t live in the Twin Cities, there’s a good chance they have no idea what the real community response has been. Yes, a police precinct is burned. Yes, rebuilding businesses may cost $500 million. But to give outsiders a first-hand view of how city residents are coming together in support of their Black neighbors, photographer Wale Agboola captured the truly astounding patchwork of murals, memorials and street art that has flourished throughout the city.

The George Floyd memorial, outside the convenience store where he was murdered, grows every day.
The George Floyd memorial, outside the convenience store where he was murdered, grows every day.
Community members protect this flower memorial at the intersection outside of Cup Foods.
Community members protect this flower memorial at the intersection outside of Cup Foods.
Americans continue to flock to George Floyd's memorial, leading some to describe it as <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/04/george-floyd-memorial-cup-foods-like-mecca-mourning/3143505001/">"a Mecca."</a>
Americans continue to flock to George Floyd’s memorial, leading some to describe it as “a Mecca.”
Flowers, protest signs, heartfelt cards and other ephemera make up the memorial.
Flowers, protest signs, heartfelt cards and other ephemera make up the memorial.
Art in support of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement spreads from this epicenter.
Art in support of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement spreads from this epicenter.
Last week, gatherers helped hoist up this monumental black-and-white portrait of George Floyd.
Last week, gatherers helped hoist up this monumental black-and-white portrait of George Floyd.
Messages on murals range from "Heal Invest Uplift Our Community" to "Abolish Police."
Messages on murals range from “Heal Invest Uplift Our Community” to “Abolish Police.”
The plywood that covers many businesses throughout the Twin Cities is being repurposed as canvas.
The plywood that covers many businesses throughout the Twin Cities is being repurposed as canvas.
A list of Black victims of police, white supremacist and other violence painted on the street.
A list of Black victims of police, white supremacist and other violence painted on the street.
The art stretched from South to North Minneapolis, a predominantly Black neighborhood.
The art stretched from South to North Minneapolis, a predominantly Black neighborhood.
The North Minneapolis neighborhood has been historically excluded from the rest of the city.
The North Minneapolis neighborhood has been historically excluded from the rest of the city.
Displays of solidarity take the form of old-school graffiti and makeshift cardboard signs.
Displays of solidarity take the form of old-school graffiti and makeshift cardboard signs.
A mural in front of Fifth Element, a rap-only record store, which recently closed after 21 years.
A mural in front of Fifth Element, a rap-only record store, which recently closed after 21 years.
A new brewery down the block from the Minneapolis Police Department's burned Third Precinct.
A new brewery down the block from the Minneapolis Police Department’s burned Third Precinct.
Much of the art centers around police reform, ranging from abolishing to reallocating funds.
Much of the art centers around police reform, ranging from abolishing to reallocating funds.
Multiple tattoo artists in the city have used their skills to honor George Floyd and others.
Multiple tattoo artists in the city have used their skills to honor George Floyd and others.
Walking across the names of George Floyd, Jamar Clark, Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor and others.
Walking across the names of George Floyd, Jamar Clark, Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor and others.
Wale Agboola

The response to George Floyd’s murder at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department has been surprisingly heartening and regrettably predictable. His killing sent shockwaves through the country, leading to massive protests. However, the civil rights demonstrations have in some cases boiled over into looting and rioting, and those inclined toward the phrase “All Lives Matter” have latched onto the latter. The one thing the protesters and the denouncers have in common? If they don’t live in the Twin Cities, there’s a good chance they have no idea what the real community response has been. Yes, a police precinct is burned. Yes, rebuilding businesses may cost $500 million. But to give outsiders a first-hand view of how city residents are coming together in support of their Black neighbors, photographer Wale Agboola captured the truly astounding patchwork of murals, memorials and street art that has flourished throughout the city.

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