Five years after murder of George Floyd, police distrust remains in Minneapolis
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Five years after George Floyd’s death, Minneapolis still seeks justice, reform, and investment in Black communities.
Alfred Flowers Jr. vividly recalls the night Minneapolis’ Third Police Precinct went up in flames in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
“I watched it go from 200 to 500 people, and by the time we reached the precinct, there were over 10,000,” said Flowers, a youth sports coach who grew up in the neighborhood. For many residents, years of distrust toward local police had reached a breaking point.
The anger, long simmering over the deaths of Black men in police custody, collided with pandemic lockdowns to create a flashpoint. Among those watching from nearby was then-Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo.
“I could smell burning rubber. People were throwing Molotov cocktails onto the precinct,” he recalled. With officers trapped inside and the building under siege, Arradondo called Mayor Jacob Frey and recommended an immediate evacuation. “Lives were at stake.”
For Flowers, the moment carried both a sense of empowerment and concern.
“There was a level of excitement—people felt like they were taking back power from the police,” he said. “But as more buildings along Lake Street burned, I began to worry about what would come next.”
Today, the charred remains of the Third Precinct still stand as a stark reminder of that night. Arradondo, who also grew up in the area, reflects on what might have been done differently.
“I wish I had pushed harder and earlier to dismantle the toxic culture that allowed indifference within the department,” he said.
Despite ongoing distrust, Flowers sees progress. “We’ve made strides with the Minneapolis Police Department, especially around hiring and new policies that aim to prevent future tragedies,” he said.
Still, deep-rooted economic and racial inequities in the community surrounding 38th and Chicago Avenues persist. George Floyd Square, now a symbol of both resistance and remembrance, remains a focal point, yet nearby businesses continue to struggle.
“There was this initial wave of corporate and institutional benevolence after Floyd’s death. People finally acknowledged the inequities Black communities face,” Arradondo said. “But many in the community now feel those promises have gone unfulfilled.”
Flowers echoes the sentiment. “What I don’t see is investment in the actual community. We need real change to improve conditions for our businesses and African Americans in this city,” he said.
As Minneapolis debates the future of George Floyd Square, residents remain hopeful—but cautious—that meaningful change is still possible.
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