Minneapolis Protests

Text and Photography by Brooklynn Kascel

These images capture the development of events following the death of George Floyd by former Minneapolis police officers Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao on Monday, May 25th, 2020 and begin to investigate the psychological and sociological impacts felt in the communities that make up the Twin Cities. 
On May 26th I began photographing my neighborhood as peaceful protests turned violent amid clashes between protesters and militarized police presence. Grocery stores, fast food restaurants and family owned businesses became targets for arson and theft while the 3rd Police Precinct was left abandoned by officers and taken over by rioters. 59 days have passed since the death of George Floyd and protests across Minneapolis and St. Paul have been organized frequently and attended by hundreds and sometimes thousands.

The imprints left by differing social ideological groups and political systems that have moved throughout the state over the past several weeks are still seen and felt here. During rallies, marches, protests and community meetings I have found evocative moments to showcase individual and collective expression, motivation and action. 

The intersection of political and social momentum guided by templates of social justice, environmental consciousness and civil rights have allowed me to observe a new society being built from the ground up. Having lived in Minneapolis for the past three years, I have seen art around me make itself known by individuals responding in kind to police violence, injustice and institutionalized racism and strive for these images to add to this collective response.

Reformative action against the Minneapolis police force is expected to gain momentum following the expected signature of Governor Tim Walz on a police accountability bill to ban neck restraints like the one used by Derek Chauvin on George Floyd which resulted in his death.