In a TikTok video dating May 8, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison appears to be registering voters with the “gatekeeper” of George Floyd Square, Marcia Howard. In the video, Howard says that she is there protesting for the “24 Demands,” while Ellison nods and smiles along.
In case you're wondering why the #NoGoZone hostage situation continues at 38th and Chicago Ave S…. Here's Marcia, Marcia, Marcia snuggling up to and being supported by our very own ATTORNEY GENERAL OF MINNESOTA @AGEllison.
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) June 22, 2021
The video also shows the two of them while Howard says “No justice, no street.”
George Floyd Square, the location where George Floyd died in Minneapolis, has been occupied by protesters for almost 400 days – despite Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey promise to reopen the streets for traffic. Frey reassured protesters that while he wanted to reopen streets, the memorial could remain in its location.
Mayor Jacob Frey was criticized by the Minneapolis City Council for spending over $350 thousand to clear the intersection, hiring a local community group called the Agape Movement. Mayor Frey involved an outside group to try to keep tensions low and avoid bringing in local law enforcement. The protesters and city employees have been going back and forth, taking down and replacing the barriers that are blocking the Minneapolis intersection of 38th Street and Chicago.
In a more recent video, Howard can be seen walking through the George Floyd Square, angry because in her absence, the city had repainted the street lines where the autonomous zone has been located.
LOL, Marica, Marcia, Marcia, the "gatekeeper" at the #NoGoZone came back from a Juneteeth vacation to find cars traveling through 38th and Chicago.
She ain't havin' it.pic.twitter.com/Gccy9tM7qs— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) June 21, 2021
She said that reopening that section of street for traffic does not offer protection and safety for protesters and “the people who flooded the Square in order to give offerings.” and that the street lines that had been painted were unacceptable.
The streets of George Floyd Square is open to traffic. An org is being paid in the absence of police presence, yet 12 rolls thru now. Trash is not being collected. Protestors are still in negotiations for the 24 Demands. Community meets at 8 am and 7 pm. Visitors still come. pic.twitter.com/omN2ieCp53
— marciahoward38thstreet (@marciaxthree) June 21, 2021
Recent photos of the area show that a few barriers have been replaced as of June 21.
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Hayley Tschetter is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun and The Star News Network. She graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Send news tips to [email protected].
Photo “George Floyd Square” by Paul Sableman. CC BY 2.0.
