Pictured: A Worthington business with the windows boarded up, in preparation for protests that happened there last week Wednesday evening. (Photo by Shela Gunnink)

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes while Floyd was handcuffed face down in the street. Two other officers further restrained Floyd and a fourth officer prevented onlookers from intervening.

Floyd had been arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a nearby market. Several witnesses took videos of the incident, which were widely circulated and broadcast. An autopsy determined the manner of Floyd’s death to be cardiac arrest during restraint, after being subjected to “neck compression.” Also noted as significant conditions were “arteriosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease; fentanyl intoxication; and recent methamphetamine use.” A second autopsy, commissioned by Floyd’s family, found that “evidence is consistent with mechanical asphyxia as the cause” of death, with neck compression restricting blood flow to the brain, and back compression restricting breathing.”

All four officers were fired the day after the incident, and on May 29, Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. On June 3, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison amended Chauvin’s charges to include second degree murder, and the other three officers were charged with aiding and abetting second degree murder. The FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are both investigating the incident.

After Floyd’s death, demonstrations and protests against use of excessive force by police officers and lack of police accountability were held globally. Protests in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area were initially peaceful on May 26, and became violent as a police precinct and two stores were burned, and many stores were looted. Some demonstrators skirmished with police, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets.

Additional protests occurred around the world, including all 50 U.S. states. Demonstrations were held in Sioux Falls, S.D., Worthington, and in Marshall last week. The Worthington demonstration was peaceful as was the Marshall demonstration. Shopkeepers were prepared for the worst, though, and some had their windows boarded up.

The rumor in Edgerton last Wednesday was that there would be protests even in our small town, but that was only a rumor and no protests happened here.

The information from this account was compiled from news report online and Wikipedia.

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