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'George Floyd Av' sign appears at his killing site as thousands sign petition calling for renaming of street

A spokesperson for Minneapolis told a news outlet that they did not install the sign, however, they were looking for the possibility of officially changing the name
PUBLISHED JUN 12, 2020
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Days after George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died in police custody in Minneapolis, a 'George Floyd Ave' street sign appeared on the interstate where he was killed. City officials, however, have said that the sign was not put up by them. Floyd's name appeared to have been pasted over the original Chicago Avenue sign at the intersection with 38th Street, the same spot where Floyd was arrested on May 25. Ever since his killing, the area has become a memorial site for the 46-year-old.

Four Minneapolis police officers allegedly involved in Floyd's brutal death were fired on May 26 after a video of the incident went viral on social media. The footage showed officer Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck as the 46-year-old told officers to let him stand because he could not breathe. A few minutes later, he became unconscious. Floyd's death has sparked massive protests and unrest in Minneapolis and across the country.

A spokesperson for the city of Minneapolis, while speaking to Fox 9, said that they did not install the sign, however, they are looking for the possibility of officially changing the name of the street from Chicago Avenue to George Floyd Avenue. The City Council would ultimately have to approve the decision.

The sign in the region appeared shortly after an online petition was launched calling for Chicago Avenue to be renamed "in honor of our fallen brother." The petition titled "Rename Chicago Avenue to George Floyd Avenue" on change.org  has garnered more than 23,000 signatures. The petition was initiated by a group of community leaders under the name The Coalition for Justice, Peace, and Love.

Demonstrators protest outside of the state capital building as unrest continues in the city and around the country following the May 25, death of George Floyd on May 31, 2020 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Getty Images)

The petition states: "The atrocious murder of Minneapolis resident George Floyd has been indelibly burned into the memory of people worldwide. We are outraged. We are broken. We are crying out for change."

"The whole world seems to be sending and hearing mixed messages right now. Some cry for justice, while others push for peace, and still others say we should just love one another," the petition adds. "These realities should not exist independently from each other or else our vision for change becomes simplistic and short-sighted." 

A City of Minneapolis spokesperson, in a statement to Newsweek, said: "City staff and council offices are discussing a commemorative name change to a Minneapolis street. The item has not yet been heard at Council, and is anticipated soon."

Another one of Change.org petitions related to Floyd has reportedly become the site's most signed petition ever. The petition titled "Justice for George Floyd," has been signed by nearly 18 million people. It was set up on the site before Chauvin and the other three officers were charged and arrested over Floyd's death.

Chauvin is currently in prison charged with second-degree murder while the other three former officers -- Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Keung -- are accused of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. In Chuavin's first court appearance on Monday, June 8, his unconditional bail amount was raised to $1.25 million. The former officer made his first court appearance through a video feed, handcuffed, wearing a blue mask and dressed in an orange jumpsuit. 

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