Say His Name: George Floyd

Area voices tell us the arts, culture and history stories of northern Minnesota, and this past week we have been living a flashpoint moment in American history. George Floyd, also known as Big Floyd, was a father, a brother, a partner, and a friend to many. According to those closest to him, he was passionate about keeping the peace. His killing on the street at the corner of 38th and Chicago Ave in Minneapolis blew the lid off of racial tension in our communities, our state, our country. Protests that began on the streets of Minneapolis quickly spread to St. Paul and by this past weekend, Americans across the country and beyond joined in expressing their outrage in cities large and small. The Justice for George rally in Bemidji drew hundreds of people and included speakers, music, prayer and action steps. We caught up with two of the organizers on the morning show this week. A collaborative effort between several people and organizations, Corey Medina and his motorcycle group The Descendants ensured peace and security while Maggie B. assisted with other aspects of crowd maintenance. In this conversation, they share their reactions to George Floyd’s death, how Saturday’s solidarity rally unfolded, and they consider where we go from here.