The courthouse in Minneapolis has been surrounded by concrete barriers and barbed wires ahead of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white police officer responsible for George Floyd’s death, reported local media. 

Minneapolis witnessed thousands of protesters taking to the streets in support of the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement. The protest turned violent in some areas with a police station being torched due to protesters outrage over Floyd’s death. 

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As the trial approaches, Minneapolis is trying to make the courthouse virtually impenetrable, reports AP. This has made residents feel uncomfortable. 

Mayor Frey has said that when the case to Jury, more than 3000 law enforcement officers from across the state and Minnesota National Guard soldiers will be at the ready. The case is expected to go to trial in late April or early May. 

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The increased protection includes three rings of concrete barriers, two topped by chain-link fencing with a trough in between filled with coils of razor wire. The ground floor windows in all three buildings are boarded up and the innermost fence is topped with barbed wire.

Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey have been criticized for not taking swift action to stop last year’s destruction. It may be likely for the protests to go out of hand if Derek is convicted for anything less than murder. 

On May 25, 2020, George Floyd passed away because Derek Chauvin pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck while he was handcuffed. Videos surfaced of the incident showed Floyd pleading with the officer to stop and saying that he can’t breathe. 

Three other officers who go to trial in August have been fired while Chauvin faces manslaughter and second-degree murder charges. 

While the protests following George’s death started out peaceful, they eventually ended taking a violent turn. Stores were robbed, and the 3rd Precinct police station was set ablaze. The National Guard’s arrival finally subsided the violence. 

The extra security measures being put in place has made residents and protesters uneasy. Protest leaders believe the state is trying to restrict their freedom of speech. 

 Activist Linden Gawboy said, “It’s not going to dissuade us from protesting. We’re determined to let our voices be heard.” Linden is an activist with Twin Cities Coalition 4 Justice 4 Jamar formed after the police killing of Jamar Clark in Minneapolis in 2015.