George Floyd: His death moved the world—but the community he died in is standing still

MSR file photo by& Al Brown, Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder For the last two and a half years, every Monday at 5:30 p.m., a powerful act of remembrance has taken place in South Minneapolis at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, also known to the world as George Floyd Square. A makeshift group of percussionists, Brass Solidarity, gathers and fills the somber air with melodies that transcend grief and call for justice.& This musical tribute has become a steadfast ritual that seeks to honor the memory of George Floyd, who was murdered four years ago on May 25, 2020, by a Minneapolis police officer while a 17-year-old teenager, Darnella Frazier, courageously videotaped the entire nine minutes it took to end Floyd’s life. & “We do this to make sure his name and the cause for justice is never forgotten,” says a band member. “We vowed to keep playing until the 24 social justice demands are met. Some progress has been made, but regrettably, much has not happened yet.” Most notably, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act remains stalled in the Senate after passing in the House in 2021. On the fourth anniversary of Floyd’s devastating murder, a somber reality...