Five Years After George Floyd’s Death: A Look at What’s Changed
Sky News correspondent Shingi Mararike visited Minneapolis five years after George Floyd was murdered to see what’s changed.
At the site where Floyd died, now George Perry Floyd Square, a mural and memorial mark the spot. The area has become a sacred space for many, filled with flowers, art, and tributes. His death, captured in a viral video of police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck, sparked global protests and a racial reckoning.
On the fifth anniversary, the mood was one of remembrance and celebration. Floyd’s family members, including his aunt Mahalia and cousin Paris, spoke of pride in his legacy and the awareness it brought. “It made us want to fight harder,” Mahalia said. Paris added, “Our voices are heard more.”
Nearby, the “Say Their Names” cemetery honors other Black lives lost to police violence. Activist Nikema Levy called the rollback of federal police investigations “diabolical,” linking it to broader issues of systemic racism under Trump’s administration.
Despite progress, Levy says true healing hasn’t happened: “The aftermath of George Floyd is yet another example of what we already know.”