At the heart of Minneapolis, where George Floyd's tragic death ignited protests and discussions about racial justice and police reform, local businesses are now pushing back against the aftermath of his murder. Shop owners at the intersection where Floyd was killed are demanding $30 million from the city, claiming their sales have plummeted due to traffic barriers and rising crime.
The lawsuit, recently filed, is the second time local shopkeepers have taken legal action within just a year. These business owners, including those from Unity Foods, formerly known as Cup Foods, are accusing city officials of mishandling the situation post-Floyd’s death. The concrete barriers, initially erected to restrict vehicle access, are now seen as obstacles to commerce at the site, dubbed George Floyd Square.
The fear among business owners is palpable. “Although the area has transformed, with many activists and supporters flocking to it, we feel abandoned,” one shopkeeper lamented. With the new plans for the intersection under discussion, many feel left out of the decision-making process. The area, known for its heightened visibility since the global protests, is marked by the memorial and murals, but the physical barriers limiting access to businesses have become detrimental.
This legal claim demands the city recognize the financial damages inflicted upon the local businesses. The owners assert the city must initiate eminent domain proceedings, effectively allowing the government to acquire their properties for public benefit—including financial recompense for the losses suffered since the barricades went up.
Last year, the initial lawsuit filed by the local businesses was dismissed, which has driven them to try again under different legal assertions. Legal representative Michael Healey explained to local media, “The owners have two options moving forward. They could reach a settlement with the city based on diminished property value, or the city could officially take possession of these properties, which would necessitate compensation.”
The city's response has been measured. A spokesperson acknowledged the difficulties faced by residents and businesses since George Floyd's murder and expressed their commitment to developing plans to revitalize the community and improve safety. Over the course of nearly three years, city officials have sought input through community workshops to create actionable ideas aimed at fostering recovery.
Last month, city planners presented what they termed the “vision report.” This document consists of various proposals, including enhanced street lighting, upgraded sidewalks, and improved public transit access, aiming to breathe new life back to the district. The hope is not just to create physical improvements but also to reconnect the community and enable the local economy to flourish once more—with construction slated to commence next year.
Reflecting on the impact of George Floyd, former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who infamously knelt on Floyd’s neck, was sentenced to over 20 years for federal civil rights violations, facing additional state murder charges. This has kept the focus on the systemic issues police practices pose, but it has also drawn attention away from neighborhood resilience and revitalization. With Chauvin’s actions having sparked global outrage, the ripple effects are still being felt within Minneapolis’s communities.
Despite the concrete barricades intended to mark the site of this pivotal moment for America, they have, instead, become barriers not just to traffic but to the economic lifeblood of the surrounding businesses. The owners are hopeful the lawsuit will spur change, allowing both for the action necessary to preserve their livelihoods and the investment needed to honor Floyd's legacy meaningfully. The road to recovery, it seems, isn’t just about fixing the streets—it’s about healing the community and addressing the burdens caused by the aftermath of fatal injustices.
