George Floyd Archives

Derek Chauvin Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Death of George Floyd

The Guilty Plea Means Chauvin will not Face a Federal Jury Trial in January

December 15, 2021

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin has pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. Chauvin’s plea Wednesday means he will not face a federal trial in January, though he could end up spending more years behind bars. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted this spring of state murder and manslaughter charges…

Judge Rejects Chauvin Request For New Trial in Floyd Death

June 25, 2021

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A judge has rejected former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin’s request for a new trial in George Floyd’s death. Judge Peter Cahill denied the request Friday. He says defense attorney Eric Nelson didn’t show that the court abused its discretion. Cahill also rejected a defense request to impeach the jury’s verdict for alleged juror misconduct, citing insufficient…

Chauvin to be Sentenced Friday Afternoon

Judge Peter Cahill is Expected to Announce Chauvin's Sentence at 1:30 p.m. Friday

June 25, 2021

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin is set to learn his fate as a Minnesota judge sentences him for murder in the death of George Floyd. The 45-year-old Chauvin faces decades in prison, with several legal experts predicting a sentence of 20 to 25 years. He still faces a federal trial on civil rights charges in Floyd’s…

George Floyd Remembered At Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial One Year After Death

A black lives matter group met in front of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial on First Street, before going on a silent march through downtown.

May 25, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s been one year since George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis by ex-cop Derek Chauvin. Across the country and in Duluth, groups gathered to remember him. A black lives matter group met in front of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial on First Street, before going on a silent march through downtown. Organizers say after Chauvin was convicted of…

Biden to Host Floyd Family at The White House Tuesday

The Meeting Comes as the Floyd Family Marks One Year Since George Floyd Lost His Life in Minneapolis

May 22, 2021

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will host George Floyd’s family at the White House Tuesday to mark the first anniversary of his death at the hands of a white Minneapolis police officer. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday the president would mark the anniversary of Floyd’s death, but offered no further details on his plans. Floyd died…

Northland Law Enforcement Remembers Officers, K9s Who Made Ultimate Sacrifice

For the first time since 2019, law enforcement agencies came together to honor the fallen, in-person

May 13, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- For the first time since 2019 law enforcement agencies from across the Northland came together in-person to honor those who died in the line of duty, at the Law Enforcement Memorial Luncheon downtown. Across the country this week, law enforcement chaplains are honoring the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice serving and protecting. “When a law…

Gov. Evers Orders Use of Force Updates for State Law Enforcement

The Evers executive order came Wednesday after the Assembly’s bipartisan racial disparities task force issued 18 recommendations to address policing practices statewide.

April 22, 2021

Arman Rahman,

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers has ordered the Wisconsin State Patrol and other state law enforcement agencies to update their use of force policies to prohibit chokeholds, unless as a last resort. The Evers executive order came Wednesday after the Assembly’s bipartisan racial disparities task force issued 18 recommendations to address…

Duluth ‘Black Lives Matter’ Protesters March Celebrating Chauvin Guilty Verdict

“I didn't really expect us to come out on top based on our past,” said Veronica Davis, one of the organizers.

April 20, 2021

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- For perhaps the first time in the year since George Floyd was killed, a Black Lives Matter protest through the streets of Duluth was filled with hope and celebration, after the jury convicted Derek Chauvin of murdering Floyd Tuesday. “I didn’t really expect us to come out on top based on our past,” said Veronica Davis, one of…

Minnesota Officer Deadly Force Working Group Gives One-Year Progress Report

They group was key in the bi-partisan passing of the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020.

February 26, 2021

Arman Rahman,

MINNESOTA- A working group looking at ways to reduce deadly force encounters between police and citizens in Minnesota says many of their recommendations are being implemented — but there is still work to be done. The group was organized last year by Attorney General Keith Ellison and Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, before the killing of George Floyd under the…

Pro-Police, ‘Reconstruct Police’ Groups Both Protest Outside Superior Government Center

The two protests converged to speak out on what they see as two very different sides of a police badge.

August 1, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Signs and flags, conversations and tensions filled the grounds of the Government Center as a group in support of Superior Police, and a group pushing to restructure their local law enforcement protested in the same space. “We believe that there’s a lot within SPD that needs to be changed,” said Waylon J of the Expose the Gap group….

Third Minneapolis Police Officer Charged in Death of George Floyd Released on Bail

July 6, 2020

Arman Rahman,

MINNESOTA (A.P.)- A former Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd has been released from jail. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Tou Thao posted $750,000 bond on Saturday. All four officers on the scene of Floyd’s death have been fired and face criminal charges. Thao is scheduled to appear in court on September 11 on charges of…

1 Dead, 11 Wounded in Weekend Minneapolis Shooting

A nearby restaurant manager said the shooting broke out shortly after midnight on Saturday and included “a lot of shots” and what appeared to be groups of people shooting at each other.

June 22, 2020

Reece Lindquist,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Police say one man is dead and 11 people are wounded following a shooting in a trendy nightlife area in Minneapolis. A nearby restaurant manager said the shooting broke out shortly after midnight on Saturday and included “a lot of shots” and what appeared to be groups of people shooting at each other. He described people fleeing…

More Protesters March from Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial; Celebrating Juneteenth

While celebrating the freedom of enslaved people in the South, protesters said more change must come for people of color.

June 19, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- On the day known as Juneteenth, crowds gathered at the Clayton, Jackson, McGhie Memorial on East First Street to march to City Hall — protesting the oppression Black, Indigenous and People of Color still feel over a century later. “Juneteenth to us isn’t just a celebration. It’s a beacon of hope for change,” said Northland March host Garett…

Dozens Peacefully Protest Outside Duluth City Hall; Calling to Defund Police

Despite the crowd, the number of people of color present was lacking.

June 13, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Voices demanding change after the death of George Floyd once again filled the grounds of Duluth City Hall Saturday, but this group of dozens organized under a slightly different version of the message than the group of thousands did two weeks before. Chants of “Defund the Police!” took on a very literal meaning aiming at the city’s budget….

Diverse Crowd in Cloquet Says ‘Black Lives Matter’ By Peacefully Marching Streets

A diverse group gathers with signs protesting the death of George Floyd, and other black men and women at the hands of police.

June 6, 2020

Arman Rahman,

CLOQUET, Minn.-Signs in support of communities of color held by a diverse group of peaceful protesters crowded Veterans Memorial Park in Cloquet. “It’s beautiful to see all these people out here even if there aren’t that many people of color it’s beautiful to see that we do have advocates out there,” said Melinda Nelms. According to organizer Taysha Martineau, it…

Veteran Cloquet Officer Named New Police Chief

After serving many roles including Commander and Interim Police Chief, Derek Randall is the new top cop.

June 3, 2020

Arman Rahman,

CLOQUET, Minn.-. The Cloquet Police Department now has a new Police Chief. After a nine month search interviewing candidates from across the country, it is the former Commander and Interim Chief Derek Randall who is shedding the “interim” from his title and stepping into the top role. “It’s a breath of relief for sure,” Randall said. Cloquet City Council voted…

Small, Peaceful Protest In Superior As Businesses Board Up For Potential Unrest

A rumored protest taking over the Blatnik Bridge didn't happen.

June 2, 2020

Arman Rahman,

SUPERIOR, Wis.- At the corner of Belknap and Hammond in Superior Wednesday, a dozen or so young people peacefully held signs against the death of George Floyd and police brutality, cheered on by drivers honking their horns in support–amid rumors of protests and unrest in the city swirling for a few days. There was even talk of a protest overtaking…

As Duluth Curfew Ends, Police Chief Says “We Have to Find Equality for Everyone” Going Forward

Less arrests were made during a more peaceful Sunday night, leading Mayor Larson to lift the curfew.

June 1, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- The city-wide curfew has been lifted in Duluth since Saturday night’s protest that turned violent in Lincoln Park– and that lift, said Mayor Emily Larson, is largely because people voluntarily complied Sunday night. “Because last night went so well, because the community stepped up and provided the kinds of support many of us have needed to feel, we…

Minnesota Attorney General to Lead Prosecution in Floyd Case

June 1, 2020

Reece Lindquist,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says the state’s attorney general will take the lead in any prosecutions in the death of George Floyd. Walz said he decided Attorney General Keith Ellison needs to lead the case. He made the announcement about an hour after Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced that he had asked for Ellison’s help. Minneapolis…

One Protester Arrested, Car Set on Fire During Protest on Central Entrance Saturday

Car fire was ruled an arson, no arrest made yet.

May 31, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- At times Saturday night, Duluth Police said it became difficult to respond to incidents of concern– even with about 100 officers out when normally around 20 patrol at night– because some protesters got in cars to head up Central Entrance at one point. A long line of protesters blocked traffic on both sides of the street, eventually stopping…

Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Vandalized During Protests; Duluth NAACP Pres. Reacts

"They're frustrated so they need an outlet, so let's make better outlets for them," said NAACP Pres. Stephan Witherspoon.

May 31, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.-Clean-up began Sunday morning for one of Duluth’s most treasured memorials, the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial on East First Street. An anti-police message was spray-painted on the brick floor of the memorial during protests on Saturday. “I was hurt. I was hurt that we have to see that,” said Stephan Witherspoon, Co-Chair of the Memorial Board. The statues of…

Duluth PD Makes 11 Arrests During Saturday Night Protest; 9 p.m. Curfew Still in Effect Sunday

Police say they expect a peaceful Sunday evening; they will seek voluntary compliance for those out past curfew.

May 31, 2020

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- According to the Duluth Police Department, 11 people were arrested during the protest between 2:45 Saturday afternoon and 4:16 a.m. Sunday. Four arrests were of juveniles which consisted of Unlawful Assembly, Felony 3rd Degree Riot, Misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct, Damage to Property, Unlawful Assembly, and warrant arrests. Additionally, so far eight reports of property damage are listed: from spray…

Overnight Protests in Minneapolis Turn Violent

The protests began outside the police precinct in the part of the city where 46-year-old George Floyd died on Memorial Day.

May 28, 2020

The Associated Press,

Credit: Carlos Gonzalez/ Star Tribune via AP MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Protests rocked Minneapolis for the second straight night after a man’s death in police custody. One person was killed Wednesday night in what police were investigating as a homicide amidst violence that included looting and setting fires that continued to burn Thursday morning. The protests began outside the police precinct…

George Floyd

The Guilty Plea Means Chauvin will not Face a Federal Jury Trial in January

Judge Peter Cahill is Expected to Announce Chauvin's Sentence at 1:30 p.m. Friday

A black lives matter group met in front of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial on First Street, before going on a silent march through downtown.

The Meeting Comes as the Floyd Family Marks One Year Since George Floyd Lost His Life in Minneapolis

For the first time since 2019, law enforcement agencies came together to honor the fallen, in-person

The Evers executive order came Wednesday after the Assembly’s bipartisan racial disparities task force issued 18 recommendations to address policing practices statewide.

“I didn't really expect us to come out on top based on our past,” said Veronica Davis, one of the organizers.

They group was key in the bi-partisan passing of the Minnesota Police Accountability Act of 2020.

The two protests converged to speak out on what they see as two very different sides of a police badge.

A nearby restaurant manager said the shooting broke out shortly after midnight on Saturday and included “a lot of shots” and what appeared to be groups of people shooting at each other.

While celebrating the freedom of enslaved people in the South, protesters said more change must come for people of color.

Despite the crowd, the number of people of color present was lacking.

A diverse group gathers with signs protesting the death of George Floyd, and other black men and women at the hands of police.

After serving many roles including Commander and Interim Police Chief, Derek Randall is the new top cop.

A rumored protest taking over the Blatnik Bridge didn't happen.

Less arrests were made during a more peaceful Sunday night, leading Mayor Larson to lift the curfew.

Car fire was ruled an arson, no arrest made yet.

"They're frustrated so they need an outlet, so let's make better outlets for them," said NAACP Pres. Stephan Witherspoon.

Police say they expect a peaceful Sunday evening; they will seek voluntary compliance for those out past curfew.

The protests began outside the police precinct in the part of the city where 46-year-old George Floyd died on Memorial Day.

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