Floyd protests: How did we get here?

State patrol march in front of buildings
Family Dollar is on fire on East Lake Street and 10th Avenue South on Friday. Protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody Monday, broke out in the city.
Liam James Doyle for MPR News

Demonstrators say it wasn't only the killing of George Floyd while in police custody that led to this week's protests in the Twin Cities — anger and frustration has been building for decades. MPR News host Angela Davis dives into the historical context.

During the program, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced at a news conference that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. MPR News reporters and experts also joined the program to talk about the legal angles in the case.

Guests:

  • Keith Mayes, professor of African American and African Studies at the University of Minnesota.

  • Susan Gaertner, former Ramsey County Attorney and now principal attorney at Gray Plant Mooty.

  • Ginger Charles, former police sergeant and now adjunct professor of psychology at Modesto Junior College.

  • Brandt Williams, MPR News reporter.

  • Tim Nelson, MPR News reporter.

Subscribe to the MPR News with Angela Davis podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or RSS.

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