As the Derek Chauvin trial gets underway, a new autonomous zone has been raised near the George Floyd memorial site. The area, referred to as “George Floyd Square,” has been identified by inhabitants as an autonomous zone — a place where police are not allowed.
The autonomous zone has already had one homicide according to Fox News and “residents” have threatened a reporter trying to get film of the area telling the reporter, “You’re going to be in a bad situation in a second.” When the reporter responded that he was just media, the protestor made further threatening comments and told the reporter, “You need to get in your car and go.”
The autonomous zone itself encompasses a six-block area where white people aren’t allowed. This is occurring as the Minneapolis Police Department is stretched thin in anticipation of unrest and riots (regardless of the trial verdict) and 250 officers short of what is required by the City Charter.
On top of all this, morale in the Minneapolis Police Department is at an all-time low as the City Council recently voted 5-1 to advance a proposal that will allow voters to decide if they will replace the police department completely.
Fox 40 in Minneapolis interviewed a local resident, Kim Griffin, who said that people who would like to support the cause feel unwelcome and excluded in this autonomous zone that has a more militant atmosphere. Griffin’s nephew, Imez Wright, was shot and killed at the memorial. She believed the outcome may have been different had the police been allowed into the zone to secure the area and respond to the injuries.
In addition to increased risks of violence in the area and fear of the citizens of Minneapolis, the impact on businesses has been brutal. While it isn’t clear which visits were affected by COVID-19 shutdowns and which were the result of the loss of customers due to the autonomous zone, the fact remains that business occupancy in this area was close to 90 percent one year ago. Today, it is less than 50 percent.
The effect of the autonomous zone and previous riots are having an impact on the trial as well as one juror has already been dismissed amidst fears that rioters will come after his home or family. Jury selection will continue until they reach a total of 14 (12 to sit on the jury and two alternate jurors). Opening statements for the trial are currently set for March 29.
In other news, the city of Minneapolis Awarded a settlement of $27 million for George Floyd’s family that includes $500,000 to be set aside for enhancements to the business district where George Floyd died. The area that is currently being occupied as an autonomous zone.