George Floyd Square: Photo Story

By Rachael Driskill, Orono High School
February 9, 2021

The entrance of what has been nicknamed “George Floyd Square,” named after the man that died here; photographed on the 25th of November, 2020. The pedestrian crossing has been marked with sayings such as: “Black Lives Matter,” “F*ck All Cops,” and “I Can’t Breathe.” The last of which denotes the last words of George Floyd as he was being killed.
(Rachael Driskill)
The wall of a local business in the center of the square. The beautifully executed art of flowers is exceedingly incongruent with the messages it is portraying, such as the pictured “Abolish Police” and the unphotographed “I can’t breath.” (Rachael Driskill)
The wall of a local business in the center of the square. The beautifully executed art of flowers is exceedingly incongruent with the messages it is portraying, such as the pictured “I can’t breathe,” and the unphotographed “Abolish Police.” (Rachael Driskill)
In front of People’s Way, this list of demands says that only once justice has prevailed will the barricades surrounding the Square be taken down. (Rachael Driskill)
By the location George Floyd died, there are many pieces of art left by visitors to show their support for the BLM movement. This particular piece has a sticker saying “Eracism” on it, which is the concept of how silence is still wrong when it supports racism. (Rachael Driskill)
Part of the converted gas station, this old gas pump now bears multiple notes saying “F*ck 12,” which means f*ck all cops. The pump shows signs of the violence it has seen, with the scratches, dents, and wires sticking out of the front. (Rachael Driskill)
A gas station in the center of the square has been converted into ‘‘People’s way,” a station for those coming to visit the square to warm up by fires, and for anyone injured to receive medical attention. (Rachael Driskill)
On the wall next to the Cup foods, this stone wall is utterly covered with different graffiti with sayings such as “You destroyed home, not us,” “Abolish the Police,” and “Black Lives Matter.” (Rachael Driskill)
Placed right by the location Floyd was killed, this note denotes the Kenyan proverb “A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning.” (Rachael Driskill)
Across the street from the entrance of George Floyd square, there is a church with several tapestries showing their support for the movement. This specific one denotes Floyd as an angel, with a halo placed above his head. (Rachael Driskill)
Placed in the center of the square, the memorial fist extends from the ground. It’s surrounded by flowers and writing. (Rachael Driskill)
In front of the grocery store, this is the exact spot where George Floyd was killed. Tons of flowers, candles, paintings and balloons were carefully placed around the perimeter, including a pine tree in honor of the Christmas Floyd never got to see. (Rachael Driskill)
In the road leading up to the center of the square a memorial devoted to Murphy Ranks, the alias of Dameon Chambers has been erected. He was killed while trying to de-escalate a fight at the Juneteenth celebration at George Floyd Square. (Rachael Driskill)
This painting of George Floyd was put up next to the Cup Foods. There is a bench located in front for those that wish to stay and pay their respects for a little longer. Cards bearing notes to Floyd and flowers are scattered in front. (Rachael Driskill)
Placed in the center of the square, a painting is all that is left of the man that died here. Portrayed with wings, the exact spot that George Floyd was killed in bears a painting to mark the location, and the words “I can’t breathe”. Countless bouquets, candles, and notes surround it as people vow to remember his name. (Rachael Driskill)
Pictured here is the center of the square. The Cup Foods is where George Floyd had the police called on him, and where he was killed. On the left is the largest single memorial in the area, a large fist extending from the ground surrounded by flowers and wishes for a more kind world. (Rachael Driskill)
Pictured at the bottom of the former image, a piece of wood burning art references John 3:16, which references ever-lasting life. In conjunction with the art, there are several bouquets of plastic flowers, which will stay in bloom for as long as they are there. (Rachael Driskill)
Photographed in the center of the square, this beautiful memorial dictates the names of dozens of other innocents that have died at the hands of police in this country. Adorned with flowers, paintings, and stuffed animals the mural states at the bottom “I can breathe now,” in reference to the fact that though Floyd’s last words were “I can’t breathe,” now that change has actually started occurring in his name, his memory has room to breathe. (Rachael Driskill)
On the edge of the square, what had once been a bus stop has been converted to another memorial devoted to George Floyd and those like him who lost their lives to senseless violence. (Rachael Driskill)
Between the spot George Floyd died and the grocery store lies a line of stuffed animals. Left both by children visiting, and for the children that have perished due to police brutality, associating children with such disgusting violence is a true jolt to the mind and the heart.
(Rachael Driskill)

This story was originally published on The Spartan Speaks on January 15, 2021.