Who was governor of Minnesota when George Floyd was killed? This question has been on the minds of many as the tragic incident unfolded in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. George Floyd’s death, which was caught on video and sparked widespread protests against police brutality and racial injustice, occurred under the watch of Governor Tim Walz.
The incident began when George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man, was stopped by Minneapolis police officers for a suspected forgery of a $20 bill. During the arrest, Floyd was pinned to the ground by Officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Despite Floyd’s repeated cries of “I can’t breathe,” Chauvin continued to kneel on his neck until he was pronounced dead.
Governor Tim Walz, who was in office at the time, faced immense pressure to address the situation and take action. In the aftermath of Floyd’s death, Walz declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard to help maintain order in Minneapolis. He also called for a full investigation into the incident and the resignation of Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo.
As the protests continued to grow across the nation and around the world, Walz faced criticism for not taking stronger action against the police officers involved. Some argued that he should have called for their immediate arrest and charged them with murder. Others praised him for his efforts to address the underlying issues of racial injustice and police brutality.
Governor Walz’s response to the George Floyd tragedy highlighted the complex nature of leadership during times of crisis. While he was criticized for not taking more decisive action, he also faced the difficult task of balancing the needs of the community with the demands of law enforcement. As the nation continues to grapple with the issues of race and justice, the question of who was governor of Minnesota when George Floyd was killed remains a poignant reminder of the challenges that leaders face in addressing systemic problems.
