Minneapolis marked the anniversary of George Floyd’s death with the Rise & Remember Festival, a three-day event designed to honor his memory and commemorate others lost to systemic racism. The festival, held at George Floyd Square and surrounding areas, drew community members, activists, and visitors from across the nation to the site where Minneapolis Police Department officers murdered Floyd on May 25, 2020.
Floyd’s death catalyzed a global movement for Black lives, inspiring protests and calls for police reform that reverberated far beyond Minneapolis. The Rise & Remember Festival emerged as an annual tradition to preserve that momentum while creating space for healing, celebration, and continued advocacy.
The festival’s opening night focused on recognition and honor. Community leaders gathered for an awards ceremony that celebrated emerging leaders making their mark in advocacy and social justice work—legacy leaders who had spent decades fighting for civil rights received recognition for their sustained commitment to change. Community leaders who work daily to strengthen neighborhoods and support families were acknowledged for their grassroots efforts.
The evening’s pinnacle was the George Floyd Legacy Award presentation, recognizing individuals whose work embodies Floyd’s memory through service to others and commitment to justice. The ceremony provided a solemn yet uplifting start to the festival, emphasizing both remembrance and forward momentum.
The second day transformed George Floyd Square into a vibrant community celebration. DJs provided the musical backdrop as families and visitors explored booths featuring local vendors, food trucks, and community organizations. The atmosphere blended solemnity with joy, reflecting the anniversary’s complex emotions.
Something for everyone
Double Dutch brought children and adults together in displays of skill and coordination. Yoga sessions offered moments of reflection and physical wellness amid the bustling square. Community artists led painting activities, creating collaborative works that captured hope, justice, and unity themes.
An open microphone provided a platform for community members to share poetry, music, and spoken word pieces. The performances ranged from personal reflections on loss and healing to calls for continued activism and social change.
Rapper Juice Lord delivered an energetic performance that resonated with younger festival attendees, while Dee-1 closed the second day with music that blended entertainment with messages of empowerment and social consciousness. The performances demonstrated how hip-hop culture continues to serve as a vehicle for social commentary and community building.
The festival’s final day coincided with Floyd’s death anniversary. Worldwide Outreach for Christ Church organized a morning service that provided spiritual grounding for the day’s events. The service emphasized themes of forgiveness, justice, and hope while acknowledging the ongoing pain felt by Floyd’s family and community.
The three-time Grammy Award-winning group Sounds of Blackness delivered a powerful musical performance that honored Floyd’s memory and the broader struggle for civil rights. Their gospel-influenced sound provided an emotional centerpiece for the anniversary observance.
As evening approached, community members gathered for a candlelight vigil that served as the festival’s conclusion. Participants held candles while observing moments of silence, creating a visual representation of collective mourning and remembrance. The vigil emphasized the personal nature of loss while reinforcing community bonds.
George Floyd Square a significant destination
George Floyd Square has evolved into a significant destination since Floyd’s death. The Say Their Name exhibit preserves the memory of Floyd and other victims of police violence through handmade headstones. Visitors often spend considerable time reading individual stories and viewing memorial items left by community members.
The Walk a Mile in Their Shoes installation invites visitors to walk through an experience by an individual who has lost their life to violence. On June 24, 2024, Sacouya “Coco Brice from Palmetto, Florida, was murdered by her cousin. So, Matilda Dubois, her mother, provided a pair of Sacouya shoes for the exhibit.
The Rise & Remember Festival demonstrates how communities can transform spaces of tragedy into locations of healing, education, and continued activism, ensuring that George Floyd’s death continues to inspire positive change.
