Minneapolis city workers were seen tearing down barricades Thursday at George Floyd Square, an “autonomous zone” that has remained in the area for over a year.
At around 4:30 a.m., crews donning construction gear removed barricades, makeshift housing, and artwork at the “cop-free” area that encompasses the Cup Foods store when Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020.
Much of the rubble was removed in under four hours, though workers were met with resistance from protesters who attempted to block an intersection while chanting, “No justice, no peace.”
Vehicle traffic limited since the days following Floyd’s death had not resumed as of 8:30 a.m., according to the Star Tribune.
Some memorials to Floyd will be left untouched, said city spokeswoman Sarah McKenzie.
“The fist sculpture is going to remain in the roundabout,” she told the Star Tribune.
GUNFIRE ERUPTS IN GEORGE FLOYD ‘AUTONOMOUS ZONE’ AS TENSIONS FLARE ON ANNIVERSARY OF DEATH
Law enforcement, barred from the area, was not involved in the reopening and a spokesperson for Metro Transit busing system refused to “predict” when public transportation service would resume in the area.
Workers have been observed placing traffic signs in the zone.
New traffic controls being installed at 38th & Chicago Ave.; Intersection to soon reopen. pic.twitter.com/g6CdhTddEC
— Bill Keller (@billkellerfox9) June 3, 2021
The area made headlines on May 25, 2021, the anniversary of Floyd’s death, after dozens of gunshots rang out during live reports from journalists. The moment was captured on an ABC News livestream in which reporter Alex Presha can be heard scrambling to find cover as a number of shots were fired.
“Down, down, down,” a voice is heard saying.
“Get behind the engine block. Behind the engine block,” it continued.
Gunfire during the @ABC crew’s liveshot from George Floyd Square. Hope you are safe @Alex_Presha. This is unbelievably heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/1QfsNqIv4A
— Nikki Muehlhausen (@NikkiKARE11) May 25, 2021
The Minneapolis Police Department responded at around 10 a.m. and reported that a vehicle suspected in the shooting sped away, a spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. One individual with a gunshot wound checked into a hospital with a non–life-threatening injury.
Hours prior to the shooting, a video journalist for the Star Tribune said he was robbed of his camera drone by “security” personnel from within the zone.
“Had my drone taken by three dudes working ‘security’ about a block from 38th and Chicago this morning,” Mark Vancleave wrote in a tweet. “Threatened and told never to come back to George Floyd Square.”
Business owners in the area have voiced frustration as the zone has repeatedly been the subject of crime, violence, and gang activity. Groups banded together earlier in 2021 to demand city bailouts after officials allowed the zone to persist since June.
Minneapolis leaders agreed in early April, setting aside multiple interest-free $50,000 loans for those afflicted, totaling $1 million.
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“Secondly, we’re continuing to make substantial progress over at 38th and Chicago,” said Mayor Jacob Frey during the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer found guilty April 20 of murdering Floyd. “Right now, the city is set to move forward with a series of $50,000 interest-free, forgivable loans to businesses that have been substantially impacted over these last seven, eight, and nine months.”
Frey, in the past, has indicated support for a “phased reopening” of the area, saying residents are not yet eager to end the zone.
The city of Minneapolis, Frey, and the Minneapolis Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Washington Examiner.
