Business owners in George Floyd Square say the area has seen a positive change

Minneapolis — George Floyd Square has become a place where many have left a memorial to remember the tragic event that took place in the world.

Giorgio Wright is from this neighborhood. He saw the killing of George Floyd and its aftermath.

“We call them journeys. I’m taking you on this journey to discover history,” Wright said.

It now takes those who go on a historic journey through space.

You have 169 names on the streets of people who lost their lives to police brutality. “I always tell people, you know, read a name, Google it, because everybody has a story,” Wright said.

Related: Three years later, George Floyd Square remains a pilgrimage destination, with some traveling thousands of miles to visit.

These are the stories he feels are important to tell.

“It’s not just the police you know, it’s black people killing black people. That’s something we have to deal with,” Wright said.

He hopes that the people he met will speak again in the corner of the world.

“Hope is being renewed, you know we have to keep fighting,” Wright said.

Many who work and live here say the community is healing from the protests that followed Floyd’s killing and the shutdown of the area.

“The police couldn’t get in here or get medical attention,” said Cedric Steele, owner of Just Turkey.

Business owner Cedric Steele said the closure forced a community police force, but the effort hurt other businesses and others near 38th and Chicago.

Related: Chief O’Hara: Police should consider MPDD officer killed George Floyd.

“It’s been very difficult for business for us and all the businesses here because our customers can’t drive the food trucks and they can’t get food out,” Steele said.

He has seen positive changes.

“Over the years, peace, it’s gotten better,” Steele said.

Steele didn’t just move Turkey. He and other business owners stayed, wanting to be part of positive change.

“I hope they build something here for the community and for the change,” Wright said.

Wright said he sees that change — a community working together.

New businesses and entrepreneurs are taking up space in once-hard-to-reach places.

Wright happily recounted all that had happened here, hoping that those on this trip would never forget it.

“I always say I could have been George, and he could have been me. That’s why I always push the narrative, ‘We have to make a change, we have to take a stand,'” Wright said.

Related: Three years after George Floyd’s murder, President Biden urged Congress to “enact meaningful police reform.”