An intersection in Minneapolis will now be named after George Floyd, following a city council vote last Friday.
On September 18, 2020 the Minneapolis city council approved to name Chicago Avenue and East 38th Street, in remembrance of George Floyd. Mayor Jacob Frey’s office said he will likely sign off on it as well, the Star Tribune reported. Floyd was 46-years-old when he died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. The intersection of 38th and Chicago quickly became a memorial place for people who wanted to pay their respects to Floyd, protest police brutality and racism.
The council voted on Friday to rename the street as “George Perry Floyd Jr. Place,” CNN reports. A sign will be installed at the intersection of 38th and Chicago to mark the commemorative designation. The new name is considered a “commemorative name” for the street meaning it will not change the actual home addresses on Chicago Avenue.
The decision to name the street in honor of Floyd in Minneapolis came after other cities began to name streets for the protest movement fueled by his death. Many murals have been painted and created around the world. These bold statements are clear visual reminders that the Black Lives Matter movement is here to stay and the demands of millions around the country cannot be ignored.
“This tragic event has really impacted our entire world,” says Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins as she thanked her colleagues for working to recognize Floyd.
Floyd’s death in police custody became the incentive for the largest and most continuous Black Lives Matter movement the nation and the world have ever seen.
Since the death of Floyd, the world has been distorted. His death did not only have an impact in America, but other countries as well such as France, Japan and Australia. Floyd’s death incited protests in many cities, images of street fights between police officers and protesters have spread swiftly across the world, drawing furious comments, looting and calls for action.
A group of demonstrators has populated the area, saying that they will not leave the area until the city meets their demands. Some of their requests include funding for anti-racism training and a temporary property tax freeze for people within that zone, USA Today reported.
The city had announced plans to reopen 38th Street this summer but backed off to avoid confrontation between people. City officials are still working to come up with a long-term plan for the intersection with 38th Street.