Mayor Jacob Frey’s Memorial Day Statement on George Floyd: “Today, we remember George Floyd, who was murdered by a former Minneapolis police officer six years ago.”

Minneapolis, May 26, 2026 – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has sparked significant controversy after posting a memorial message about George Floyd on Memorial Day — a day traditionally reserved for honoring American soldiers who died in service to the country.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mayor Frey wrote: “Today, we remember George Floyd, who was murdered by a former Minneapolis police officer six years ago. That moment changed our city forever.”

Frey added that George Floyd’s death forced Minneapolis to confront painful truths about race, policing, inequality, and trust. He stated that the city has worked to reform the police department, increase accountability, and rebuild community trust — though he acknowledged that much work remains.

The timing and content of the mayor’s statement quickly drew mixed reactions. Many critics argued that posting about George Floyd on Memorial Day was inappropriate, claiming the day should be reserved exclusively for honoring fallen military personnel. Some described it as “a slap in the face to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.”

On the other hand, supporters praised the statement, saying it was important to continue the conversation about social justice and police reform.

George Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. The incident sparked some of the largest protests in modern U.S. history, fueled the Black Lives Matter movement, and led to nationwide calls for police reform.

George Floyd Square remains a powerful symbol in Minneapolis, and the city continues to develop plans to turn the area into a community memorial space.