LHENA Response to the Death of George Floyd

To our Wedge community:
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Like so many of our neighbors, we are deeply angry and filled with pain over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers on May 25th. We are in the midst of a pandemic that is disproportionately affecting people of color, a 20% unemployment rate, and little support or clear plans for either from the federal government. Our communities have already been hurting, and Mr. Floyd’s death has sparked emotions rooted in anger, despair, exhaustion, and centuries of racial injustice. Right now allow yourself to grieve and to process your emotions. Ask tough questions and challenge people. And take care of one another and your communities. 

LHENA will continue to work with city, county, and community leaders to help rebuild and create relationships of trust and respect so that Minneapolis is a place of safety and well-being for everyone. LHENA strives to create a welcoming environment for all, and to advocate for equitable systems, processes, and policies here in our neighborhood. We know we can do better at this, and we will. 

If you or your business has been impacted by the unfolding events, please contact our Executive Director at [email protected] so that we can assist you.

If you would like to help support small businesses that have been impacted please consider donating to this fundraiser hosted by the Lake Street Council.

To donate to George Floyd’s memorial fund, you may do so here. 

LHENA calls for justice for George, and we ask you to join your neighbors on Monday, June 1st at 9pm on your porches, balconies, or at your windows to shine a light for him and for this city that we love.

In solidarity, 

Paul Shanafelt, Executive Director
​Alicia Gibson, President