From 1967 to Today: How Minneapolis Became the Center of Protest and Federal Enforcement Controversy

History of Minneapolis – Why This Story Matters

On July 20, 1967, widespread violence erupted in North Minneapolis, an area known for its Jewish and African American communities. It was one of the major civil uprisings during the “Long, Hot Summer of 1967,” a period marked by racial unrest across the United States between July 20 and July 23, 1967.

The reason for the racial tension in North Minneapolis at that time was restrictive housing policies, which meant that both Jewish and African American communities were prevented from residing in certain parts of Minneapolis. So, both communities settled in the northern part of Minneapolis, from where they earned their livelihood.

After World War II, societal opinions toward the Jewish community shifted away from anti-Semitism. They gained access to different parts of Minneapolis that helped them improve their livelihood, but African American communities continued to face systemic discrimination in housing, education, and employment. That result created rising frustration and division.

The Riots of 1967 in Minneapolis

Some documents from the FBI allege that Stokely Carmichael, the Black Panther movement’s political leader, warned that “the blood will flow in the city of Minneapolis this summer.”

Some reports claim the unrest began after police mishandled a fight between two teenage girls during the Aquatennial Parade.

Other accounts mention a dispute involving a Black resident and a Jewish shop owner.

After the incident, residents gathered at The Way Community Center and organized a protest against alleged police brutality. As tensions increased, clashes between protesters and police escalated into rioting, arson, and vandalism along Plymouth Avenue.

By the end of these riots, there were three shootings, 36 arrests, 18 fires, and 24 injuries. The total damage was $4.2 million. This created economic inequality, social frustration, and racial tension — the foundation for future conflict.

A Issue or Tension that never ends in Minneapolis

After several decades, things did not improve; tension continued to arise due to multiple problems such as economic gaps, unequal schools, and aggressive policing in minority neighborhoods. Although Minneapolis promoted itself as a progressive city, racial inequality remained deeply embedded. By the beginning of the 21st century, Minneapolis was home to some of the largest racial disparities.

Murder of George Floyd Killing 2020: How Black Lives Matter protests shaped movements around the world

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an African-American man, died after being detained by Minneapolis police. Derek Chauvin, one of the four police officers involved in Floyd’s detention, knelt on his neck for nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds, while three other officers—J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao—assisted Chauvin with the arrest. George Floyd’s last words were recorded as, “I can’t breathe,” “Please,” and “Mama.”

He then lost consciousness at the scene and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The incident transformed Minneapolis into the epicenter of the largest civil rights-era protests in decades.

George Floyd’s murder was viewed by some as a continuation of the history of violence by the Minneapolis police. Between 2010 and 2020, reports indicate that 11 people were killed by police officers. Many felt that the judicial system was inconsistent, as it did not hold white police officers accountable for killing Black men. By the 2020s, the relationship between the Minneapolis police and the community, especially Black residents, had broken down.

The Incident That Shocked the World

In the early hours of May 26, 2020, Minneapolis police released a statement claiming that George Floyd died after suffering “medical distress” during an arrest. The statement did not mention that officer Derek Chauvin had knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes. However, the statement contradicted the incident after a bystander at the scene uploaded a 10-minute video showing Floyd face down, handcuffed, unable to breathe, and begging for his life. This video quickly went viral worldwide. Following the video, several reactions came from officials, and later the FBI joined local authorities in the investigation.

This incident fueled public outrage. “Black Lives Matter” chants and the words “I Can’t Breathe” and “Stop Killing Black People” were repeated several times. Thousands of people gathered in the streets for rallies and protests.

As night fell on May 26 and May 27, tensions increased. Demonstrators marched to the Minneapolis Third Police Precinct, where some individuals began vandalizing property and throwing objects at officers. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Clashes intensified, and looting began in nearby stores. Fires were set at multiple locations, including an AutoZone store and grocery outlets.

Looting and Arson Erupt During George Floyd Protests in Minneapolis

On May 27, 2020, protests over the death of George Floyd turned violent in Minneapolis. Around 1,000 people gathered near the Third Police Precinct, where clashes broke out between protesters and police. Looting began at nearby stores, including a Target and an AutoZone.

A masked man, later suspected of trying to provoke violence, damaged the AutoZone store, which later became the first building set on fire. Fires spread to other businesses, including grocery stores and apartment buildings. Police eventually withdrew as they ran out of crowd-control equipment.

Violence escalated during the night, and a 43-year-old man, Calvin Horton Jr., was fatally shot near a pawn shop. Several other people were injured by gunfire.

City leaders requested help from the National Guard as destruction spread across Minneapolis. More than 30 fires were reported, including the burning of a major affordable housing project. Looting also occurred in nearby Brooklyn Center, where police made arrests.

Government Response and Escalation of Unrest (May 28–31, 2020)

On May 28, 2020, Minnesota officials increased security as violence continued after protests over George Floyd’s death. Governor Tim Walz activated the National Guard, while Minneapolis declared a state of emergency and shut down public transport. Businesses boarded up stores and authorities urged residents to stay home.

That evening, peaceful protests turned violent again. Looting and arson spread across Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Late at night, police evacuated the Third Precinct station, which was later set on fire by rioters. The burning of the third police station became one of the most powerful images of the unrest nationwide.

Two deaths occurred during the riots. Oscar Lee Stewart Jr. died after being trapped inside a burning pawn shop, while earlier violence had already claimed another life. Destruction spread to Saint Paul and nearby suburbs, damaging hundreds of businesses.

President Donald Trump reacted strongly on Twitter, warning of military intervention. His posts were flagged by Twitter for glorifying violence. Curfews were imposed across Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and thousands of National Guard troops were deployed.

On May 29, former officer Derek Chauvin was charged with murder and manslaughter, but protests continued as demonstrators demanded charges against all four officers. That night, more fires and riots broke out, overwhelming police and security forces.

By May 30, full mobilization of the National Guard helped restore control. Violence declined, and protests became mostly peaceful again. On May 31, large peaceful rallies were held across Minnesota. A tanker truck incident on a highway bridge caused panic but no major injuries. After May 31, major riots ended, and demonstrations continued largely without violence.

From June 1, 2020, violence declined and protests became mostly peaceful across Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The National Guard began withdrawing as large crowds gathered to honor George Floyd and demand police reform. Autopsy reports confirmed Floyd’s death was a homicide.

Peaceful rallies were held at the state capitol, Floyd’s memorial site, and during funeral services attended by national leaders and civil rights figures. On June 3, charges against Derek Chauvin were upgraded and the three other officers were charged with aiding and abetting murder, which Floyd’s family welcomed as progress toward justice.

Protests then focused on police reform and calls to “defund the police.” On June 7, nine members of the Minneapolis City Council pledged to dismantle the city’s police department and redirect funds to social services, though the department was not immediately disbanded.

By June 7, government emergency operations ended after the largest National Guard deployment in Minnesota since World War II. Over time, protests led to national debates on policing, racial justice, and public safety, with Minneapolis becoming a central symbol of the movement for police reform.