Documentary Vlog: We All Saw It May 25th 2020 The Day George Floyd Died and the Silent Deaths in Minnesota’s Nursing Homes By Christopher Seymore
May 25th 2020 The Day George Floyd Died and the Silent Deaths in Minnesota’s Nursing Homes Vlog Documentary
By C. L. Seymore
We All Saw It: The Death of George Floyd and the Aftermath in Minnesota and Across the United States
I remember the day vividly. It was Memorial Day, May 25, 2020. The world was still in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, and tensions were already running high. But nothing could have prepared me, or the rest of Minnesota, for what was about to unfold. I was in the state when George Floyd was murdered in the Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis, and what happened afterward, both in my home state and across the nation, was nothing short of historic and devastating.
What Led to George Floyd’s Killing
Now This Facebook post May 29th 2020
REMEMBERING GEORGE FLOYD: From how he’s being remembered to nationwide calls for justice, these are the videos about George Floyd you should see
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GHyvfkgEw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
George Floyd was a 46-year-old Black man from Houston who had moved to Minnesota seeking a fresh start. He was a father, a community member, and, like many Black men in America, someone who had faced struggles but was trying to rebuild his life.
On that fateful day, Floyd was accused of using a counterfeit \$20 bill at Cup Foods, a corner store in South Minneapolis. The police were called. Among the responding officers was Derek Chauvin, a 19-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department with multiple complaints filed against him over the years.
WIO NEWS Body cam footage of George Floyd being killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 25, 2020
https://www.facebook.com/WIONews/videos/new-bodycam-footage-of-george-floyds-death/667903933819104/
"Please don't shoot me mister officer": New body-cam footage captures the interaction between George Floyd and Minneapolis police officers before he was arrested.
When Floyd was arrested, it wasn’t the accusation of forgery that shook the world, it was what happened during the arrest. As bystanders filmed with their cellphones, Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. Floyd repeatedly cried out, “I can’t breathe,” a haunting echo of Eric Garner’s last words in 2014. Bystanders begged the officers to stop, but they didn’t. I watched the footage like so many others across the country, with horror, disbelief, and rage.
June 2nd Aftermath of George Floyd Murder Governor, Tim Walz enacted the Army National Guard to protect the streets in Saint Paul corner of University Avenue and Dunlap Street
#BootsOnTheGround Christopher Seymore
Encouraging Minneapolis Minnesota Army National Guard to remember that they are serving our #Citizens1st.
But for me, being here in Minnesota, the reality was more visceral. It wasn’t just something on a screen, it was happening in my state, in my city, in my community. The streets I’d walked were now covered in smoke and ash.
The Aftermath in Minnesota: Death, Destruction, and a Cry for Justice
Minnesota, particularly Minneapolis and St. Paul, erupted almost immediately. The peaceful protests that started at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, now known as George Floyd Square, soon turned into something bigger. Something raw and uncontrolled.
The Minnesota Freedom Riders made the Washington Post ✊🏾🖤🙏🏾
For the community. By the community!
Full article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/citizen-patrols-make-statement-in-minneapolis/2020/06/06/cc1844d4-a78c-11ea-b473-04905b1af82b_story.html
I remember walking through the neighborhoods just days after Floyd’s murder. Buildings were still smoldering. The air was thick with smoke and grief. In Minneapolis alone, more than 1,500 businesses were damaged or destroyed, with losses exceeding \$500 million, making it the second-most destructive civil disturbance in U.S. history after the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
Entire blocks along Lake Street, an economic artery for the Black, Latinx, East African, and immigrant communities, were burned to the ground. I saw small family-owned stores gone. I saw nonprofits gutted by fire. Even the Third Precinct police station, where the officers involved in Floyd’s murder had worked, was set on fire and abandoned by law enforcement.
The death toll in Minnesota tied to the unrest included:
- Calvin Horton Jr., a 43-year-old Black man shot and killed outside a pawn shop during the unrest in Minneapolis.
- Several other fatalities occurred as a result of fires, confrontations, or accidents during looting or riots, but official state-level fatality counts were limited due to the chaos and difficulty identifying responsibility.
- The National Guard was deployed. The city was under curfew. But the people, my people, kept marching, shouting, crying. They were grieving not just George Floyd, but decades of racial injustice, systemic policing failures, and community disinvestment.
The Aftermath Across the United States: A Nation on Fire and in Mourning
What happened in Minnesota didn’t stay in Minnesota. The killing of George Floyd ignited a global movement. More than 2,000 cities in all 50 states held protests, many of them led by young people of all races, calling for an end to police brutality and racial injustice.
Nationwide , the unrest was significant:
At least 25 people died across the United States during the protests in late May and early June of 2020. These included individuals killed during violent confrontations, vehicular incidents during demonstrations, and law enforcement actions. Some were protestors, some were bystanders, and some were officers.
Property damage nationally was estimated between \$1–2 billion in insured losses, making it the costliest civil disturbance in U.S. history.
Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington D.C. saw sustained protests and significant destruction.
Statues of Confederate leaders and colonial figures were torn down across the country.
Police departments were scrutinized, defunded in some cities, or saw major leadership changes.
May 31st Aftermath of George Floyd Murder in St. Paul Minnesota with Minneapolis and St. Paul. FULL VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AgQvpih77/?mibextid=wwXIfr
March For #GeorgeFloyd 5/31/2020 Because He Was Killed Again By MPLS. POLICE DEPARTMENT Tax Payer Paid Employees.
It was Wrong❕🇺🇸 This is Right❕🇺🇸💪🏿💪🏾💪🏽💪🏼💪🏻👣 #UnityNow
But it wasn’t just about damage. There was also an unprecedented reckoning. Corporations issued statements about racial justice, some genuine, many performative.
The phrase “Black Lives Matter” was painted on streets and echoed across media platforms. Laws and policies began to shift, albeit slowly. Derek Chauvin was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to 22.5 years in prison, a rare and historic verdict against a police officer.
Still, for me, the personal toll of those days can’t be measured only in buildings lost or laws passed. It was a collective trauma, a wound on the spirit of Minnesota and the nation.
May 31st Aftermath of George Floyd Murder in St. Paul Minnesota with Shay Webbie and Shay Cares https://www.facebook.com/share/15WvY1EtqZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Living Through It, Living With It
I was here. I saw the pain, the rage, the unity, and the division. I wept with my community. I marched with them. I spoke with elders who’d lived through the Civil Rights Movement, and I stood beside teenagers who were fighting for a better future.
George Floyd should still be alive. His murder shook the world, but it also reminded us that America’s legacy of racial injustice is not just history, it’s ongoing. The fires may be out, but the heat remains.
As someone who lived through those days in Minnesota, I will never forget what I saw, what I felt, and what I continue to fight for: real change, real justice, and real accountability.
Because to forget would be to dishonor not only George Floyd but the countless others before him whose names we may never know, but whose lives mattered.
Christopher Seymore Sr.
Chaplain
MN Politician
I. T. Evangelist
National Community Activist
clseymoreis@gmail.com
** (Disclaimer: This video content is intended for educational and informational purposes only) **
Minneapolis, Minnesota — The Hennepin County judge Peter Cahill overseeing the George Floyd case has made the body worn cameras from ex-officers Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng available.
The video, taken from the body worn cameras shows Kueng and Lane responding to a convenience store on May 25 on a report that Floyd had allegedly used a fake $20 bill.
Their former colleagues, Tou Thao and Derek Chauvin, later showed up to assist. The footage follows Lane and Kueng as they apprehend Floyd and two acquaintances. Lane holds Floyd at gunpoint and handcuffs him, and the officers briefly question the visibly panicked man before attempting to get him into their patrol SUV.
After struggling to get him into the police squad, Floyd is eventually held down by officers on the ground. Floyd is heard calling to his mother, repeatedly saying he can’t breathe and that everything hurts. After a few minutes, Senior officers Derek Chauvin and Tou Thao arrive and help wrestle him to the ground. Chauvin then places his knee on Floyd’s neck, where it stays for over nine minutes.
Lane and Kueng hold down Floyd’s back and knees as Thao keeps increasingly agitated bystanders at bay.
Chauvin gets up after paramedics arrive and load Floyd into an ambulance. Lane accompanies them and administers CPR as they take Floyd to an out-of-the-way street corner, while Kueng goes back into Cup Foods interviewing an employee about the alleged counterfeit $20 bill and collecting evidence.
I DON'T WANT DEMOCRATS RULING US ANYMORE.
Since the death of George Floyd in 2020, more people have been killed by police in Minnesota each year, highlighting a troubling trend under continued Democratic leadership.
Despite promises of reform and racial justice, the structural conditions for African-American citizens and those living in poverty have not improved, instead, institutionalized racism persists through over-policing, economic disparity, and political neglect.
Every one of the police killings listed, from Amir Locke to Ricky Cobb II, occurred under Democratic administrations at both the state and city levels, revealing a failure to deliver meaningful change or safety for Black communities.
Words of justice have not been matched by actions, and the cycle of violence continues.
Here is a chronological list of notable individuals who have died during encounters with law enforcement in Minnesota, along with information on related legal settlements where available.
2023
Ricky Cobb II July 31, 2023: Shot and killed by a Minnesota State Patrol trooper during a traffic stop in Minneapolis. As of now, no settlement has been reported. Dan Bauman1
2022
Amir Locke February 2, 2022: Fatally shot by Minneapolis police during a no-knock warrant raid. No settlement has been publicly disclosed.
2021
Leneal Frazier July 6, 2021: Killed in a car crash involving a Minneapolis police vehicle during a high-speed chase. No settlement information available.
Winston Boogie Smith June 3, 2021: Shot by members of a U.S. Marshals task force in Minneapolis. A civil lawsuit filed by Smith's family was dismissed.
Daunte Wright April 11, 2021: Shot during a traffic stop by a Brooklyn Center police officer. The city agreed to a \$3.25 million settlement with Wright's family.
2020
Dolal Idd December 30, 2020: Killed by Minneapolis police during a gun sting operation. No settlement has been reported.
George Floyd May 25, 2020: Murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, sparking global protests. The city of Minneapolis agreed to a \$27 million settlement with Floyd's family.
2017
Justine Damond July 15, 2017: Shot by a Minneapolis police officer after calling 911 to report a possible assault. The city settled with Damond's family for \$20 million.
2016
Philando Castile July 6, 2016: Fatally shot by a St. Anthony police officer during a traffic stop. Castile's mother received a \$3 million settlement, and his girlfriend received \$800,000.
2015
Jamar Clark November 15, 2015: Shot by Minneapolis police during a confrontation. No charges were filed against the officers involved. DEFINITELY SHOULD HAVE BEEN.
2012
Victor Terrance Gaddy, affectionately known as "Guv" or "Guvna," was fatally shot by St. Paul police on October 23, 2012, during a narcotics investigation in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood. Officers attempted to box in his vehicle, suspecting him of drug activity. According to police reports, Gaddy used his car to ram unmarked squad vehicles, prompting officers to open fire. He was struck multiple times and died at the scene. A grand jury later concluded that the officers' use of deadly force was justified under Minnesota law.
Gaddy's family and community members have questioned the official account, noting that he was unarmed and expressing skepticism about the necessity of lethal force. They remember him as a charismatic individual who cared deeply for his family and community, likening him more to a "Robin Hood" figure than a gang leader. Despite his past legal troubles, those close to him emphasize that he did not deserve to die in such a manner.
Victor Gaddy's death remains a poignant example of the ongoing concerns regarding police use of force and the treatment of African-American individuals in Minnesota. His story is a reminder of the importance of acknowledging all victims in discussions about police-involved fatalities.
1: https://www.startribune.com/no-charges-against-st-paul-cops-in-fatal-shooting/200345951?utm_source=chatgpt.com "No charges against St. Paul cops in fatal shooting"
2: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/01/15/st-paul-police-shootings?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Latest shooting puts St. Paul police tactics under scrutiny | MPR News"
3: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/03/28/st-paul-cops-cleared-in-suspects-death?utm_source=chatgpt.com "St. Paul cops cleared in suspect's death | MPR News"
4: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2013/10/29/one-year-after-man-shot-by-police?utm_source=chatgpt.com "One year later, family of man shot by police wonders why | MPR News"
2006
Dominic Felder 2006: Shot by Minneapolis police near his home. A federal jury awarded Felder's family \$2.2 million in a wrongful-death civil suit.
List of killings by law enforcement officers in Minnesota
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_killings_by_law_enforcement_officers_in_Minnesota.
The
Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/may/25/george-floyd-black-lives-matter-protests-anniversary?utm_source=chatgpt.com
AP Newshttps://apnews.com/article/9d7cf00be8477e3dcb2fe1a658d73667?utm_source=chatgpt.com
The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/05/24/george-floyd-murder-dei-police-reform/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
1: https://dan-bauman.com/portfolio/police-shooting-deaths-go-unchecked-by-state/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
"Police shooting deaths go unchecked by state | Dan Bauman"
2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Winston_Boogie_Smith?utm_source=chatgpt.com
"Killing of Winston Boogie Smith"
3: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_killings_by_law_enforcement_officers_in_Minnesota?utm_source=chatgpt.com
"List of killings by law enforcement officers in Minnesota"
4:
https://apnews.com/article/03fc5ffd24495d8610228759bc6af31a?utm_source=chatgpt.com
"How federal consent decrees have been used in police reform across the US"
5: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/may/25/george-floyd-black-lives-matter-protests-anniversary?utm_source=chatgpt.com
"They were shot by police at the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. 'I came home a different person'"
6: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/a-look-some-of-the-largest-previous-settlements-in-u-s-police-killings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
"A Look Some Of The Largest Previous Settlements In U.S. Police Killings - CBS Minnesota"
7: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2021/03/12/a-look-at-big-settlements-in-us-police-killings?utm_sou
rce=chatgpt.com
"A look at big settlements in U.S. police killings | MPR News”
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