Walz calls for moment of silence Tuesday on 1-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death

Gov. Tim Walz has issued a proclamation asking Minnesotans to observe a moment of silence in honor of the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death.

Walz called for a moment of silence at 1 p.m. on Tuesday for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.

"George Floyd’s murder ignited a global movement and awakened many Minnesotans and people around the world to the systemic racism that our Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color have known for centuries," Walz’s proclamation states. "On April 20, 2021, a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of George Floyd’s murder. This historic verdict was a step in the right direction, but our work to dismantle systematic racism and discrimination has not ended. True justice for George Floyd will come only through real, systemic change to prevent acts like this from happening again—when every member of every community, no matter their race, is safe, valued, and protected."

Floyd died while being arrested by Minneapolis police and while former officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck. Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death last month. The other three former officers are scheduled to go on trial next year.