Five years ago, a video captured the tragic final moments of George Floyd—a Black man who died under the knee of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin—igniting global outrage. That moment not only sparked worldwide protests but also unleashed a wave of creative expression, as communities and activists turned to art to demand justice and systemic change.
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Across the United States, public spaces became canvases for protest art—murals, posters, and installations honoring George Floyd, condemning police brutality, and amplifying the message of the Black Lives Matter movement. From city centers to boarded-up storefronts during the pandemic, art became a powerful visual reminder of a movement fueled by grief, hope, and resistance.
Today, much of that protest art has faded from public view. In Washington, D.C., for instance, the once-iconic “Black Lives Matter” mural on 16th Street has been removed. Countless other works—especially those created on temporary materials—have deteriorated or been lost with time. But in Minneapolis, a determined effort is underway to preserve and celebrate this vital cultural and historical legacy.
Remembering the Movement: A Living Collection of Protest Art
Lisa Kelly, founder of Memorialize the Movement, has been at the forefront of rescuing and archiving hundreds of protest artworks that emerged during the Minneapolis uprising in 2020. Describing the collection as “living,” Kelly emphasizes the organization’s mission to preserve the emotional and political power these works continue to carry.
Beginning her work in the summer of 2020, Kelly understood the critical importance of safeguarding these pieces—not just as art, but as history. In the past five years, her organization has preserved over 1,000 pieces of protest art, saving them from neglect, decay, and erasure.
“This art was created in the heat of a movement,” Kelly said. “It wasn’t just decoration—it was a tool for activism and change. Preserving it means preserving the power and emotion of that moment in time.”
Beyond preservation, Memorialize the Movement brings the art to life through public exhibits, educational workshops, and community programs. These events showcase original works from 2020 and commission new pieces that engage with ongoing issues of racial justice and social equity.
Using art as a catalyst, the organization encourages community members to reclaim their agency, empowering them to tell their stories and protect their history in real time. In doing so, the movement keeps the spirit of 2020 alive and relevant.
Art as a Tool for Social Change and Healing
Protest art played a critical role during the height of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations. It gave visual voice to pain and protest, creating shared symbols of resistance and solidarity. Murals and installations transformed public space into sites of mourning, dialogue, and defiance.
Kelly emphasizes that art’s power lies in its ability to spark activism. “Art ignites movements,” she said. “It carries ideas, inspires conversation, and connects people both emotionally and intellectually.”
This ongoing work remains especially significant as national conversations about race, justice, and policing continue to evolve. While some reforms have been implemented since 2020, many advocates—Kelly included—feel that progress has stalled or even regressed.
“The progress we saw scared some people,” Kelly remarked. “And that fear has driven efforts to roll back the rights and freedoms we fought so hard for.”
Political and Legal Backlash Poses Challenges
Efforts to preserve George Floyd’s legacy come at a time of increasing political backlash. Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice announced plans to phase out federal consent decrees in cities like Minneapolis and Louisville—agreements imposed after high-profile police killings to enforce reform.
Civil rights advocates have criticized the move, arguing that eliminating these court-enforced mechanisms undermines progress and weakens accountability. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon defended the decision, claiming that consent decrees add bureaucracy and hamper police recruitment and morale.
This federal rollback underscores the tension between those demanding deep systemic change and entrenched institutions resistant to transformation.
Local Communities Rebuild, Remember, and Heal
Despite federal setbacks, communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul have found strength through unity and grassroots action. Kelly notes that local organizing around memorials, community care, and mutual aid has fostered a renewed sense of empowerment and connection.
Annual events like Justice for George honor Floyd’s life while reinforcing activism and healing. These gatherings bring together volunteers, artists, and community members to reflect on the past and envision a more just future.
Sustained by grassroots participation and community-driven funding, these efforts emphasize collective resilience and celebrate meaningful victories in the face of adversity.
The Enduring Power of Memory and Representation
The story of protest art after George Floyd’s death is one of both loss and preservation. While many murals have disappeared from the public eye, organizations like Memorialize the Movement remain committed to honoring their messages and ensuring they are not forgotten.
This work serves as a powerful reminder that history is not only recorded in books, but also painted on walls, inscribed in murals, and woven into the cultural fabric of communities.
As the five-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death passes, efforts to preserve and share protest art help ensure the conversation around racial justice endures—not as a fleeting moment, but as an ongoing journey toward equity and change.
Conclusion
The global movement sparked by George Floyd’s death continues today, carried forward by the enduring impact of protest art and the tireless dedication of organizations like Memorialize the Movement. While many murals have faded, their messages remain—preserved, celebrated, and reimagined.
The intersection of art, memory, and social justice stands as a testament to the human capacity for hope, resistance, and transformation. As activists, artists, and communities face new challenges, they remain steadfast in their mission: to ensure that George Floyd’s name—and the fight for justice—are never forgotten.
Progress may be slow, and the path may be hard, but the movement endures. The enduring power of protest art reminds us that change is possible—and that the fight for dignity and equality is far from over.