Minneapolis Council Member Chavez Commits To Preserving George Floyd Square Against Mayor's Veto

Minneapolis Council Member Chavez Commits To Preserving George Floyd Square Against Mayor's Veto

In a recent social media post, Minneapolis Ward 9 Council Member Jason Chavez highlighted the City Council's commitment to maintaining George Floyd Square as a dedicated space for remembrance and reflection. Chavez's statement was a direct response to Mayor Jacob Frey's veto regarding actions to transform the area into a pedestrian plaza, a decision Chavez and others view as lacking acknowledgment of the community's pain and demands.

Chavez criticized the mayor's approach to "moving forward" without adequately confronting the collective trauma experienced by the community. His post on Facebook stated, "The Mayor talks about “moving forward” in vetoing action on George Floyd Square, without having ever truly reckoned with the trauma our community experienced and the sanctity of this place." This echoed a broader sentiment within the community that feels their voices have not been fully heard by the current administration.

Despite the mayor's decision, Chavez declared the City Council's dedication to honor George Floyd and others who have been victims of police brutality. The council member outlined actions and plans to continue advocating for the square, aiming to meet the community's desire to memorialize the space and the movement it represents. "We will continue to pursue a pedestrian plaza at George Floyd Square and honor the sacredness of this place," Chavez's post read, reflecting the council's future direction.

The area, known as George Floyd Square, became a makeshift memorial and a symbol of the fight against systemic racism and police brutality, after the death of George Floyd in May 2020. Despite being five years since that event, the dialogue between city officials and residents suggests a divide on how to encapsulate the location's significance within the city's urban landscape. In a show of local support, the council is pushing ahead with plans to keep the square, while maintaining spaces for community, reflection, and healing, intact in honor of Floyd and the global ripple effects sparked by his death.

SOURCE: hoodline