In the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint-Paul a mass volunteer clean-up operation has begun to clean up damage caused by the weekend of riots, a result of the killing of George Floyd by an officer/s of the Minneapolis Police Department.
According to MPR news, folk from all over Minnesota came to the two cities to shovel up glass, remove graffiti and tidy up debris left behind in the chaos – a food drive has also taken place to feed those who are going hungry. Many of the activists responded to calls on social media for assistance. Both cities have now declared harsh evening curfews to attempt to dampen down further violence.
Community food drive in North Minneapolis. #Minneapolis #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/C2IIhE0RBe
— Caroline Yang (@yangfoto) May 30, 2020
Community volunteers help clean up the damage at Ethiopian restaurant Addis Ababa on East Lake Street in Minneapolis. #GeorgeFloyd #Minneapolis pic.twitter.com/ZlEQXTGvHE
— Caroline Yang (@yangfoto) May 30, 2020
The clean-up operation is cross-community with White, Black and Muslim residents coming together in a show of solidarity. The way in which people of all backgrounds have come together is a direct protest in itself against racism and division in American society, typified by the unjust murder of Mr Floyd.
In my neighborhood. Volunteers by the dozen are cleaning up debris and broken glass along West Lake Street. But I would advise people to avoid driving in the area. It is gridlocked with cars. pic.twitter.com/aXzMtZ64Uz
— Brandt Williams (@BrandtMPR) May 30, 2020
Marvin Applewhite, who is a resident of Minneapolis, set up a GoFund Me page to collect donations for the clean-up and those that had lost small businesses in the rioting and looting. He also called out for as many volunteers as possible. He said:
“Lots of work needs to be done and I’m willing to lead and get it done. So if there’s anything you can give for this cause will be appreciated.”
The GoFund me page had already achieved almost $50,000 dollars at the time of this publication – which will go some way to helping those who have lost out.
Marvin Applewhite cleans up Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd https://t.co/BLzmRCzVQd
— 94.3 WYBC (@943WYBC) May 30, 2020
https://t.co/Akz2HkpbMP@marcuslemonis here is a great man who is doing the clean up effort in Minneapolis. #Minneapolis #marvinapplewhite #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
— Laura Beth (@LauraBeth4You) May 31, 2020
Everyone’s talking about people looting and distorying buildings why is no one talking about Marvin Applewhite and his crew raising money and cleaning up the community of Minneapolis while all of this is going on (Marvin Applewhite on the left) pic.twitter.com/FIwsQ4mAn1
— Nick Sibley (@nick_sibley1) May 30, 2020
In every chaotic, hazardous, menacing, and unsafe circumstance in this world, if you look hard enough, you'll find a hero. Google Marvin Applewhite.#herovibes #wecanallbeheroes https://t.co/mg5cBfIn41
— Restoration Heroes (@Rheroes911) May 30, 2020
Donors have also been leaving comments commending the movement and the unity being shown by those across Minnesota. Donor Sharma Affeldt said:
“We have a lot of work to do cleaning up the Twin Cities- both literally and figuratively. Let’s all do this together- it’s past time for change.”
Another donor Kerry Kendall added:
“The world is in such a bad place (racism, covid, etc) and we need people like this to put good out in the world right now. I believe the world CAN change, one person at a time.”
Many of those commenting have also been voicing their anger at the police and the institutional racism of the United States. As we move forward there will be those who will be making their stand against racism and police brutality in different ways, some by taking to the streets in protest, and those like these clean-up crews will be doing so by uniting all races and people in a collective act of positive action.
We think the unity shown by these people is great and that we move forward against racism and hatred.
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