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

Blue and yellow mural of George Floyd outside Cup Foods in Minneapolis
By Alex Lauer

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.

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