Five years ago, the world was forever changed by a video that captured the tragic final moments of George Floyd, a Black man whose death under the knee of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin ignited a global outcry. This moment sparked not only widespread protests but also a wave of creative expression, as activists and communities used art to voice their demands for justice and systemic change.
Across the United States, public spaces became canvases for protest art—murals, paintings, and installations that honored George Floyd, condemned police brutality, and amplified the calls of the Black Lives Matter movement. These visual tributes symbolized the raw emotion and urgent demand for reform in the wake of Floyd’s death. From large-scale murals in city centers to the plywood boards that covered shuttered businesses during the pandemic, the art served as a powerful reminder of a movement fueled by grief, hope, and resistance.
Today, however, much of this protest art has disappeared from public view. Iconic works like the Black Lives Matter mural on 16th Street in Washington, D.C., were removed, and countless other pieces, particularly those painted on temporary materials, have been taken down or lost over time. Despite this, a determined effort in Minneapolis has been working to preserve and celebrate this vital cultural and historical record.
Memorialize the Movement: A Living Archive of Protest Art
Leesa Kelly, the founder of Memorialize the Movement, has been at the forefront of efforts to collect and safeguard the hundreds of pieces of protest art that emerged during the Minneapolis uprising in 2020. Describing the organization as “a living archive,” Memorialize the Movement seeks to ensure that the messages, emotions, and stories encapsulated in these artworks continue to inspire and educate future generations.
Starting her work in the summer of 2020, Kelly recognized the profound importance of protecting these pieces—not just as art but as tangible history. Over the past five years, her organization has gathered more than 1,000 pieces of protest art, rescuing them from neglect and destruction.
“This art was created in the heat of a movement,” Kelly said. “It wasn’t just decoration—it was a tool for activism and change. Preserving it means preserving the power and spirit of that moment in time.”
Beyond preservation, Memorialize the Movement “activates” the art through public exhibits, community events, and workshops. These gatherings not only showcase the original works from 2020 but also commission new pieces that continue to engage with issues of racial justice and social equity.
Using art as a catalyst, the organization encourages community members to understand their own agency and voices, empowering them to protect their stories and histories in real time. In doing so, Memorialize the Movement keeps the momentum of the 2020 uprising alive and relevant.
Art as a Tool for Social Change and Healing
Protest art played a critical role during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, providing a visual language through which the pain and demands of communities could be shared and felt universally. These murals and installations gave voice to those silenced and served as rallying points for solidarity and resilience.
Kelly emphasized that art’s ability to inspire activism remains vital. “Art ignites movements,” she explained. “It pushes ideas forward, fosters dialogue, and connects people emotionally and intellectually.”
This ongoing work is particularly meaningful as national conversations about race, justice, and policing continue to evolve. While some progress has been made since 2020, many advocates like Kelly feel the pace has been slow and, at times, regressive.
“The progress we saw scared some people,” Kelly said. “And that fear has led to attempts to roll back the rights and freedoms we fought so hard for.”
Challenges Amid Political and Legal Backlash
The dedication to preserving Floyd’s legacy and the broader movement comes at a time of political pushback. Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to drop court-enforced police reform agreements—known as consent decrees—in cities including Minneapolis and Louisville. These agreements had been established following high-profile police killings to hold departments accountable and implement reforms.
The decision sparked criticism from civil rights advocates, who argue that weakening oversight undermines progress toward justice. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon defended the move, claiming that such agreements increase bureaucracy and hamper police recruitment and retention.
This federal retrenchment underscores the ongoing tension between activists demanding systemic change and institutional forces resisting it.
Local Efforts to Rebuild and Heal
Despite federal-level setbacks, local communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul have found strength in unity and resilience. Kelly highlighted that neighborhood efforts and organizations like Memorialize the Movement have fostered a renewed sense of agency and mutual support.
Annual events such as Justice for George serve not only to commemorate Floyd’s life but also to galvanize continued activism and healing. These gatherings bring together volunteers, artists, and community members to remember the past and envision a more just future.
Funding and grassroots involvement sustain these efforts, allowing activists to focus on collective empowerment and celebrate accomplishments amid adversity.
The Enduring Importance of Memory and Representation
The story of the protest art following George Floyd’s death is one of both loss and preservation. While many murals and symbols have vanished from public spaces, the commitment to remembering and honoring the movement persists.
Memorialize the Movement’s work serves as a powerful reminder that history is not just written in books but also painted on walls, carved into murals, and embedded in the cultural fabric of communities.
As the five-year anniversary of Floyd’s death passes, the effort to protect and showcase this art ensures that the conversation around racial justice remains alive—not as a fleeting moment, but as an ongoing journey toward equality.
Conclusion
Five years after George Floyd’s death sparked a global movement, the legacy of that moment continues through the preservation of protest art and the tireless activism of groups like Memorialize the Movement. Though the murals that once dotted cities across America have largely faded away, their messages endure, captured and celebrated in new forms.
The intersection of art, memory, and social justice exemplifies how communities can confront pain and injustice with creativity and solidarity. In preserving this history, activists ensure that George Floyd’s name—and the fight for justice—will never be forgotten.
As the movement continues to face challenges, it also stands resilient, reminding us that progress is a marathon, not a sprint. The enduring power of protest art remains a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for hope, change, and remembrance.
The post The Lasting Impact of George Floyd’s Death: Preserving Protest Art and Continuing the Movement Five Years On first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
The post The Lasting Impact of George Floyd’s Death: Preserving Protest Art and Continuing the Movement Five Years On first appeared on Voxtrend News.
