George Floyd has been honoured with a moment of silence in the US city where he died at the hands of police, a death captured on wrenching bystander video that galvanised the racial justice movement and continues to ripple a year later.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Floyd's sister Bridgett and other family members joined Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, citizens and activists at a downtown park to observe the moment at an event that included music and food trucks.
"It's been a troubling year, a long year," Bridgett Floyd told the crowd.
"But we made it. They say with God all things are possible and I'm a true believer in that... The love is very outpouring today. The love is here. George is here."
A moment of silence was also held in New York and a rally was held in Los Angeles to honour Floyd.
Overseas, a rally took place in Germany and Floyd's death was marked by US embassies in Greece and Spain.
A family-friendly street festival was also planned at the Minneapolis intersection where Floyd died.
That intersection was disrupted by gunfire just hours before the event.
Associated Press video from 38th Street and Chicago Avenue - informally known as George Floyd Square - showed people running for cover as shots rang out.
Police said a man, who they believe was injured in the shooting, later went to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound.
Police spokesman John Elder said he was in critical condition but was expected to survive.
Philip Crowther, a reporter working for AP Global Media Services, which provides live video coverage, reported hearing as many as 30 gunshots about a block from the intersection.
Crowther said a storefront window appeared to have been broken by gunshots.
"Very quickly things got back to normal," Crowther said.
"People here who spend a significant amount of time, the organisers, were running around asking, 'Does anyone need a medic?"'
Police said witnesses reported seeing a vehicle speeding away.
Elder said no one was in custody by midday Tuesday.
Like other major cities, Minneapolis has been struggling with rising gun violence, a problem made worse, in part, by many officers leaving the embattled force since Floyd's death.
A six-year-old girl was fatally shot and two other children wounded in recent weeks.
Frey last week unveiled sweeping public safety proposals aimed at fixing the problem.
Other groups are pursuing a more radical remaking of the police department.
The intersection of 38th and Chicago has been barricaded since soon after Floyd's death.
It quickly turned into a memorial - and also a challenging spot for the city, with police officers not always welcome.
The square was transformed on Tuesday into an outdoor festival, with food, children's activities and a long list of musical performers.
The "Rise and Remember George Floyd" celebration, including a candlelight vigil, caps several days of marches, rallies and panel discussions about his death and confronting racial discrimination.
Australian Associated Press
