United States: George Floyd Square, the movement continues
Audio 02:31
George Floyd Memorial in Minneapolis.
© RFI / Loubna Anaki
By: Loubna Anaki Follow
6 mins
A week after Derek Chauvin's conviction for the murder of George Floyd, Minneapolis is breathing a bit, but protesters refuse to evacuate the neighborhood they have occupied for almost a year.
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From our special correspondent in Minneapolis,
On the ground, the words written in chalk are still visible: “
Chauvin guilty, justice is done
”… Traces left by the demonstrators who celebrated the conviction of Derek Chauvin on Tuesday April 20.
For ten months, this crossroads between 38th Street and Chicago Avenue has become a memorial.
It is here that George Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020 by Officer Derek Chauvin, it is from here that the anger that ignited Minneapolis started.
Today, the barriers that block access to the crossroads are still there and the demonstrators too.
► To read also: The former police officer Derek Chauvin found guilty of the "murder" of George Floyd
"They must answer for their actions"
Sitting in the shelter of an abandoned gas station turned into a headquarters, Marcia Howard chats with other protesters who camp here day and night. This 47-year-old teacher lives 500 meters away. The day George Floyd was killed, she took unpaid leave to join the protest. And for her, the end of the Chauvin trial does not mean the end of the fight. “
When thousands of people arrived at this crossroads, when the city was on
fire,” Marcia explains, “
We made a commitment not to move from here until we get justice.
"
The protesters are awaiting the trial of the three police officers who were with Derek Chauvin on the day of the arrest and murder of George Floyd.
"
They must answer for their actions
", proclaims Marcia, her voice broken by dint of shouting in the demonstrations.
"Injustice has blocked this street and only justice will be able to reopen it"
This trial is due to take place in August.
In the meantime, Marcia and the others refuse to evacuate the crossroads to be reopened to traffic.
On a wall, they wrote a list of 24 requests that they forwarded to the authorities.
"Injustice has blocked this street and only justice will be able to reopen it
", confides Marcia before adding: "
We no longer want to be treated as second-class citizens.
"
Among the demands of the demonstrators, in particular: reform the police, invest in the community or even open an investigation into the practices of the Minneapolis police.
The latter measure was announced last week by the justice department.
Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the others
Even today the name of George Floyd continues to resonate between the 38th and Chicago.
In the center of the crossroads, a raised metal weight is surrounded by portraits of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery or even Daunte Wright… Other blacks killed by the American police.
► To read also: After the George Floyd affair, the hope of a profound change in the United States?
Some demonstrators would like to see these objects "
preserved for memory
", whether they are "
placed in a museum or left behind
".
They want it to be a "
reminder of the importance of justice and the lives of black people
."
"
But this permanent occupation of the crossroads is not necessarily viewed favorably by all the inhabitants of the district.
Even if they support the movement, some would like a return to normalcy.
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