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Updated May 24, 2021 - Politics & Policy

In photos: Minneapolis marks 1st anniversary of George Floyd's death

Rebecca Falconer
People march during an inaugural remembrance demonstration for George Floyd on May 23, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

People march during an inaugural remembrance rally for George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 23. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Members of George Floyd's family and civil rights leaders led a remembrance rally and march in his honor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sunday — the first of three days of activities marking the first anniversary of his death.

The big picture: The George Floyd Memorial Foundation, founded by his sister Bridgett Floyd, said in a statement it's to "demonstrate our continued call for accountability and reform, because the right to equal justice should not be conditional or based upon a person's color."

  • Crowds gathered for the event outside the courthouse where Derek Chauvin, a white former Minneapolis police officer, was last month convicted of Floyd's May 25, 2020, murder. The killing sparked massive protests against police brutality and racism in the U.S. and across the world.

What they're saying: Civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton said during a rally address: "George Floyd should not go down in history as just someone with a knee on his neck. George Floyd should go down in history that broke the neck of police racism, police brutality, and police illegality."

People hold signs and a banner as they march during an event in remembrance of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 23
People marching during the remembrance event, organized by the National Action Network and members of George Floyd's family. Photo: Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images
People gather during an inaugural remembrance demonstration for George Floyd on May 23, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
People gather during the May 23 Minneapolis rally. Sharpton told the crowd "convicting Chauvin is not enough," as he urged lawmakers to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, CBS News reports. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
People listen during an inaugural remembrance demonstration for George Floyd on May 23, 2021 in Minneapolis
People listening to a speech during the May 23 Minneapolis remembrance rally. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Rev. Al Sharpton (L) greets Bridgette Floyd, sister of George Floyd, as people attend a rally outside the Hennepin County Government Center on May 23, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton (L) greeting Bridgette Floyd at the rally outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis on May 23. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
People march during an inaugural remembrance demonstration for George Floyd on May 23, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
People marching during the May 23 remembrance demonstration in Minneapolis. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images
Attorney Ben Crump (C) speaks, flanked by Rev. Al Sharpton (R) and George Floyd's sister Bridgett Floyd, during a remembrance for George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 23
Attorney Ben Crump (C) speaking, flanked by Sharpton, the founder and President of National Action Network, and Bridgett Floyd during the May 23 remembrance event. Photo: Kerem Yucel/AFP via Getty Images
A man reacts as pastor Carmen Means speaks to a group gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center on May 23, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
A man reacting as pastor Carmen Means speaks to a group gathered outside the Hennepin County Government Center on May 23 in Minneapolis. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

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