Death and 'autonomous zone' grip George Floyd Square ahead of Chauvin trialMINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — For residents of the neighborhood where George Floyd lost his life last May, peace and quiet increasingly seems like a pipe dream.
A grim tragedy erupted on Saturday night when another man died near what is now called George Floyd Square, an intersection of blocks that serves as a permanent vigil. This time, no police were involved in the killing of the victim, who authorities said died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds.
Kim, who serves as a medic for the "autonomous zone" organized by self-identified Black Lives Matter activists surrounding George Floyd Square, said she heard what sounded like "500 gunshots" during her shift.
"I was first on the scene. Emotions are just so high right now. I've been awake for 36 hours," she told the Washington Examiner. "You picked the wrong day to come here."
Kim said the man was black. Authorities have not identified the victim.
Makeshift barriers and gates surrounded George Floyd Square as of Sunday evening. No white people were allowed access to the area by local activists out of a supposed concern for the "healing" of the community, according to Kim. Those passing by the barricades were waved along and asked to leave, with those manning the gates treating their job as some sort of official duty.
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