From suburbs to surrounding states, people come to bear witness at Floyd memorial

Back when the world's attention was on Standing Rock Reservation during the Dakota Access pipeline protests a few years ago, LeeAnn Eastman said African-Americans came to the encampments to stand in solidarity. Now she said that mutual respect is being shown as Indigenous people come to Minneapolis in the aftermath of George Floyd's killing.

"We've been in this movement and struggled together for a long time," Eastman said. "Indigenous people all over support Black Lives Matter."

Eastman traveled from Sisseton, S.D., with about 20 other relatives and friends Sunday to pay their respects at the Floyd memorial site sprawling across the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue where Floyd was arrested. She said they came to sing prayer songs and offer encouragement "to keep this going."

"I wanted to see where George passed away," said Alvin Village Center of Standing Rock. "I felt sad, hurt thinking about black people and Natives being treated the same way."

From surrounding states like the Dakotas and Wisconsin to neighboring suburban communities, mourners have flocked to the memorial site to pay respects and bear witness to where Floyd took his last breaths under a Minneapolis police officer's knee. It's been two weeks since he cried out for help as officers killed the unarmed 46-year-old man, sparking international protests and demands for justice. Marches still carry on across the country as the memorial continues to take on new sculptures, signage and murals. The collection of flowers seems to grow with every passing hour and there is a steady stream of people taking pictures, handing out free food and water, and bringing life to a landmark defined by tragedy.

"We wanted to bring some flowers and pay our respects. Living in rural Hudson, you feel a little removed from it, so it made sense to come," said Johan Nielsen of Hudson, Wis. Nielsen's girlfriend, Susan Roeder of Stillwater, said visiting the memorial was "very moving, as you would expect." They brought along food to donate and were encouraged to make the trip thanks to Roeder's two teenage daughters, who she said will not tolerate injustice.

"Two weeks feels like a lifetime. You can't imagine how the world could change already in such a short amount of time," she said. "With the pandemic and to have Minneapolis be the center of the universe, it was surreal."

Erin Heep MacEwen, 47, invited her parents, Bert and Diane Heep, to make a day trip from Ely down to Minneapolis on Sunday. The family was tearful as they reflected on the experience of seeing the places they've watched on television and online the past two weeks. MacEwen said it's all heartbreak mixed with shame, which is why they want to show solidarity with the movement as white people from rural Minnesota.

"It's been said many times and it almost sounds trite, but in this dark time for our state and country, we can make some progress," MacEwen said.

Like the feelings that follow a funeral, the Heeps said there was a sense of fellowship at the memorial. Once they got over the initial stages of grief, from horror in seeing where Floyd died, they felt hope settle in. Though peaceful and serene just four hours north, Bert Heep said that sense of calm was almost superficial knowing what happened in the Twin Cities.

"You try to hold onto hope — you don't want it to die. You don't want the intensity of what you feel to go away," he said.

"You look at other people and wonder why they are here. What do the black people think of white people: 'Are they just pandering to us?' " he added. "You wish you could wear a sign that says, 'I really care.' "

Yolanda Pierson made the drive to the memorial from Blaine along with her two sons, Todd, 17, and Wayland, 8. She said already her teenager has been to three protests, including those for Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin and now Floyd.

"I hope by the time they're adults they don't have to protest," she said. "I hope it gets to the point where their joy isn't taken."

As she overlooked the Say Their Names Cemetery, a green open space blocks away from 38th and Chicago that memorializes dozens of black people killed by police, she said, "That's a lot of names, and it's heartbreaking as a mother. I don't know if other people fear that, but as a black mother, you fear that."

Since Floyd's death, 22-year-old Meghan Schuler of Owatonna has been wanting to visit the memorial. But she spent that time educating herself on issues of racism and signing pledges instead. Sunday she finally went with two friends from Bethel College to pray and pay her respects.

"It's emotional to see all the people are still here," she said, adding that it's especially touching to see so many families out with children taking part in this moment in history.

Joelle Nde of Shakopee brought her children, ranging in age from 4 to 20, out to the memorial with the hope that "there will not be more George Floyds in the future."

She said while it's great to see people of all backgrounds and races come together, she prays it's the first and last time she would have to bring her children to a site like this.

"We are not perfect, but we have to use justice to solve issues, not brutality," she said.

Kim Hyatt • 612-673-4751