Minneapolis staff cleared the deadly intersection, but activists raised temporary obstacles and promised to keep the square open.

Activists called on people to “keep room” at the intersection where George Floyd was murdered more than a year ago, after Minneapolis staff removed the roadblocks that prevented most vehicles on Thursday.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, municipal workers spent less than four hours removing obstacles, artworks, flowers, and other objects from the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue where Freud was killed, informally known as George Floyd Square.

Activists quickly replaced them with temporary barriers. They called on people to bring art supplies to the crossroads.

Refrigerator tax #George Floyd Square pic.twitter.com/WsELcTp6uu

— Eric Silvatong (@silvaculture) June 3, 2021

Many activists opposed the city’s reopening of the intersection of Chicago Avenue and 38th Street for vehicles. It has been closed since Freud’s death and is an autonomous area in the city center.

The murder of black Floyd by Derek Chauvin, a white former Minneapolis police officer, sparked protests against police brutality and racism around the world.

Xiao Wan Let Freud lie on his stomach On May 25, 2020, his knee was pressed on the man’s back for more than 9 minutes.

The jury found that 45-year-old Xiao Wan, Convicted of murder and manslaughter in April, Leading to an impromptu street party at the crossroads, marked by a towering black fist sculpture in the middle of the road, surrounded by a small garden full of flowers.

Minneapolis militants see guilty verdicts as a step towards meaningful police reform, even though they Promise to continue pressure The authorities made changes.

Shavin is scheduled to be sentenced on June 25.

Activists promised that they will not abandon the surrounding streets until the 24 requirements are listed (PDF), including reinvestigating other local black men killed by the police.

Activists held a press conference at the crossroads on Thursday, condemning the city and chanting: “Without justice, there are no streets.”

Gerani HusseinThe director of the Minnesota branch of the American Council on Islamic Relations said the city is attacking Freud’s memory.

“They don’t want to drive through there, they want to delete history,” he said. “But we won’t let them delete history.”

We fight the counter-insurgency in the square… to take the place

— Comrade Link ? (@ViolentLeftist) June 3, 2021

Mayor Jacob Frey It has previously been stated that the city will reopen vehicle traffic at the crossroads after the Chauvin trial. On Thursday, Frey discussed what he called a “phased reconnection” of George Floyd Square with the rest of the city with other city officials in the city hall.

“This intersection will change forever, and we need to invest in this transformation,” Frey told reporters and reiterated his commitment to keep a permanent monument to Freud.

When asked by reporters about the new temporary roadblocks installed by activists on Thursday, Frey said that the reopening process will be “triggered and will be very difficult in the next few days.” He never thought it would reopen in one day. .