On the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s killing, a new chapter in the ongoing legacy of his life has erupted into a fierce dispute: who owns the right to preserve and shape the sacred ground where he took his final breath?
A Fight for Sacred Space, Justice, and Memory
On a brisk spring morning, Roger Floyd, uncle of George Floyd, stood silently at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, his eyes fixed on the now-iconic site where his nephew's life was taken on May 25, 2020. The place, known globally as George Floyd Square, has become a symbol of resistance, racial reckoning, and community grief — but it is also now the focus of a tense battle between the Floyd family, local activists, and city officials over its future.
"This isn’t just asphalt," Roger Floyd told reporters. "This is where my blood was spilled. This is sacred ground."
At the heart of the controversy is the vacant Speedway gas station at the corner of the square, now decorated with murals, tributes, and community art. The Floyd family wants the site to be formally preserved and protected, ideally transformed into a nationally recognized memorial and justice center. But the city of Minneapolis has other plans.
From Protest to Preservation: The Square’s Journey
In the immediate aftermath of Floyd’s murder at the hands of former police officer Derek Chauvin — an act that sparked global protests and led to Chauvin’s conviction in 2021 — community members spontaneously created a barricaded zone at the site. Flowers, posters, graffiti art, and daily vigils transformed the intersection into what some called a “people-powered memorial.”
Despite the city's efforts to reopen the area to traffic in 2021, tensions have persisted between those wanting to preserve the autonomous space and city officials aiming to “restore order” while acknowledging the site’s historical significance.
“We’ve always respected the pain this community has endured,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “But we also have an obligation to all residents to provide safe, accessible, and functioning infrastructure.”
A Family’s Mission for a Living Legacy
The Floyd family argues that city efforts to remove parts of the memorial or restrict access to it dishonor George’s memory and dilute the power of what the square represents.
“This isn’t just about remembrance,” said Angela Harrelson, George Floyd’s aunt and a vocal activist. “It’s about purpose. We want to build something that educates, heals, and drives action.”
To that end, the family has proposed a George Floyd Justice & Healing Center — a multi-use facility that would combine a museum, educational programming, mental health resources, and advocacy training. The proposed site would include the gas station and surrounding area.
But not everyone agrees.
Diverging Visions, United Pain
Local activist groups like Agape Movement and George Floyd Global Memorial have also been involved in maintaining the square — sometimes clashing with city decisions and each other.
“Many of us were here day and night during the uprising,” said Thomas McLaurin, a longtime community organizer. “It’s not about one family or one organization. This is a community-created memorial, and it must remain rooted in collective stewardship.”
Still, Floyd’s relatives insist that any plans must involve the family and prioritize their vision. “We're not erasing the community's voice,” Roger Floyd said. “We’re amplifying it.”
City Caught in the Crossfire
Caught between the family’s demand for full control and activists’ concerns about commercialization, the city has appointed a new George Floyd Square Planning Council, including city officials, artists, historians, and members of the Floyd family. Yet even this move has been met with skepticism.
Some fear that the square will become sanitized, commercialized, or turned into a tourist attraction devoid of its raw truth and revolutionary power.
A Global Symbol Still in Limbo
Since 2020, George Floyd Square has drawn international visitors, educators, civil rights leaders, and even heads of state. The murals — one of which simply reads, "I can’t breathe" — have been etched into the collective memory of a global movement for racial justice.
“It’s a living memorial,” said Dr. Rev. Al Sharpton, who visited the site earlier this year. “But like any living thing, it needs care, unity, and a shared purpose.”
Yet, as of this week, no formal agreement has been reached.
What Happens Next?
The city has stated that final decisions about the site’s future will be made by late summer, following extensive public consultation. Meanwhile, the Floyd family has hired civil rights attorneys and is considering legal avenues to secure either partial ownership or preservation easements for the site.
“This is not a fight we wanted,” said Angela Harrelson. “But it’s a fight we’re willing to take on. Because George deserves more than hashtags and speeches. He deserves justice — even in death.”
As Minneapolis marks another year since Floyd's murder, the tension between honoring memory and managing urban space underscores a deeper struggle: how America remembers its martyrs, and who gets to decide.