Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan Public Safety Update: June 3, 2020

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June 3, 2020

Updates from the Governor

Attorney General Keith Ellison today announced that he has charged all four officers involved in George Floyd’s death, and announced that he has increased the charge against former officer Derek Chauvin to second degree murder. Governor Walz released the following statement:

“I laid flowers at George Floyd’s memorial this morning. As a former high school history teacher, I looked up at the mural of George’s face painted above and I reflected on what his death will mean for future generations. What will our young people learn about this moment? Will his death be just another blip in a textbook? Or will it go down in history as when our country turned toward justice and change?”

“It’s on each of us to determine that answer.”

“The charges announced by Attorney General Keith Ellison today are a meaningful step toward justice for George Floyd. But we must also recognize that the anguish driving protests around the world is about more than one tragic incident.”

“George Floyd’s death is the symptom of a disease. We will not wake up one day and have the disease of systemic racism cured for us. This is on each of us to solve together, and we have hard work ahead.”

“We owe that much to George Floyd, and we owe that much to each other.”

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan also responded, saying “The community – in Minneapolis, in Minnesota, and across the world – has been crying out for justice. The charges announced today, including raising Officer Chauvin’s charge to second degree murder, are a meaningful step toward that justice. All four officers must be held accountable for George’s death – but we must also hold the system that brought us to this moment accountable. Justice is not done in one action, but in many.”

Also today, the Department of Health recommended that any Minnesotan who has attended a protest, vigil, or community clean-up get tested for COVID-19. Minnesotans should get tested right away if they have symptoms, and if they do not have symptoms should get tested 5-7 days after the event. If the test is negative but you are worried you might have been exposed, seek another test 12-14 days after the event, even if you do not feel sick. Find a testing location near you.

Finally, a curfew remains in effect for Minneapolis-St. Paul tonight from 10pm to 4am.

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Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19

  • Wear masks when in public. 10-50% of virus carriers are asymptomatic wearing masks helps control the virus and has been shown to lower COVID-19 spread.
  • Avoid enclosed spaces with groups of people, where the virus can linger in the air for long periods of time.
  • Get tested if you have cold or flu-like symptoms – Find testing locations.
  • Stay six feet away from others.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
  • Up-to-date guidance is available from the Department of Health.

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