Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey gave a press conference with Minneapolis City Councilmembers and The Agape Movement. They discussed the decision to reopen the intersection of 38th and Chicago Avenue, where Geroge Floyd was murdered last year.
City council vice president Andrea Jenkins spoke during the press conference sharing that she has been working on getting different perspectives from citizens across the city on what should be done with George Floyd Square. Most feel that it is time to let the healing process begin.
“The healing begins with the reconnection of the intersection of 38th and Chicago to the broader city,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins shared that business owners have had a loss of revenue, being that traffic can not flow through the intersection, and residents feel as if they are trapped.
The city plans to create a permanent structure that will honor George Floyd while allowing traffic to flow through the intersection. The city will also look at creating affordable housing in the area to help those in need.
The founder of The Agape Movement, Steve Floyd, spoke about the decision to begin deconstructing the barricades around the memorial at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday.
The Agape Movement decided to remove part of the structure, knowing that they would get push back if it was announced beforehand, but still wanted to get it done.
Steve Floyd also spoke about the recent shootings in Minneapolis, stating that they need to change their community and help develop the young men in the community.
He also shared that they went around to business owners located on the square and that “90%” of them said they would like the square to be reopened.
“We knew we were gonna get push back; we expected that,” Steve Floyd said.
Steve Floyd clarified that the Agape Movement is not a part of the police department or the mayor’s office. Instead, they are working to help heal their community separate from any other entity.
While the intersection is not fully reopened, Frey shared that they have made efforts to begin reopening George Floyd Square by removing barriers and the trash located near the intersection.
It is essential to the city to make sure that they work with the community while they reconnect the neighborhood and save every piece of art present at the memorial.
“We wanted to make sure that we retained every bit of art that’s presently located at the intersection and make sure that it got the necessary and due care,” Frey said. “We wanted to ensure that the fist statue remained and is intact and doesn’t get hit by oncoming vehicular traffic.
“We wanted to ensure that the location where George Floyd was murdered never has tires run over it again.”
As for when traffic will be able to move through the intersection again, Frey did not give a clear-cut answer.
“It will be a bit touch and go and difficult over the next couple of days,” Frey said. “We are moving towards a reconnection.”
