Nearly two years ago, George Floyd was murdered by police on a Minneapolis street, sparking global protests on a historic scale.

Community members and various organizations have planned events around the second anniversary of George Floyd’s tragic death, providing spaces for people to gather, mourn, and continue advocating for systemic change.

George Floyd Global Memorial Rememory Exhibit at Orchestra Hall

May 20-21

This exhibit showcases a small selection of offerings brought by protestors to George Floyd Square, spaced out to emphasize each item’s unique significance and story. It is free and open to the public during the day as well as during evening performances of Joel Thompson's Seven Last Words of the Unarmed, a performance dedicated to the lives of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Eric Garner, Kenneth Chamberlain, Amadou Diallo, and John Crawford. Learn more about the exhibit and performance here. 

Fri-Sat 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 8 - 9:30 p.m., 1111 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Memorialize the Movement’s Justice for George Exhibit 

May 21

Justice for George returns to Phelps Park with over 200 plywood protest murals from the 2020 uprising in tow. The event also includes speakers, live mural painting, youth painting workshops, a healing and wellness station and other BIPOC-centered resources. Register for free and find more details here.

12 - 8 p.m., 701 E 39th St., Minneapolis

Documenting a Reckoning: The Murder of George Floyd Exhibit at Mill City Museum

Closes June 5

Documenting a Reckoning weaves together photographs from community members, student photographers, and seasoned photojournalists to examine what happened in the year between the murder of George Floyd and the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin in April 2021. Get tickets here. 

Thurs-Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., 704 S 2nd St., Minneapolis

George Floyd Global Memorial’s 2nd Annual Rise and Remember Weekend

Candlelight Vigil for George Floyd at the Say Their Names Memorial

May 25

Just before sunset on the 2-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death, over 500 candles will be lit in an act of communal remembrance. You can bring your own candle or use those provided. 

8 p.m., E 37th Street and Columbus Avenue S, Minneapolis

Night of Honor: Impacted Families Honoring the Movement

May 26

Hosted by Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence, this gathering aims to honor those who have continued to take a stand alongside the many families impacted by the trauma of police violence.

5 - 10 p.m., Aloft Hotel, 900 S Washington Ave, Minneapolis

Gala at Mill City Museum

May 27

The first George Floyd Global Memorial Gala seeks to raise money for continued preservation of the thousands of offerings laid at George Floyd Square as well as for other goals like diversifying the heritage preservation industry and establishing a permanent home for the organization. The soiree includes a book signing with Angela Harrelson, dinner, and a concert. Buy a ticket here. 

6 - 9 p.m., 704 S 2nd St., Minneapolis 

Festival and Concert at George Floyd Square

May 28

Rise and Remember wraps up the weekend with community building festivities at George Floyd Square. The square will be bustling all day, starting with kids sports activities in the morning and ending with a free concert in the evening featuring community youth choir Known MPLS, members of the the Minnesota Chorale and Minnesota Orchestra, and South African musical group, 29:11. You’ll also find food trucks, local vendors and various education and mutual aid booths. Find the schedule and more details here. 

9 a.m. - 7 p.m., 38th St. and Chicago Ave., Minneapolis

In addition to attending events, supporters can donate to sustain the ongoing work of those behind these events — like Memorialize the Movement and the George Floyd Global Memorial — anytime. George Floyd Square, a community-run memorial space located at 38th St. and Chicago Ave. in south Minneapolis, has an Amazon Wishlist you can purchase from and a list of 24 demands they want you to read.

This feature is part of The Current’s 89 Days of Spring series.