I’m Mike Thompson, the cartoonist and illustrator for USA TODAY. I grew up in Minneapolis, not far from George Floyd.
I came home this week to visit my mom and see how my old neighborhood and town have changed. And to wait for the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial that came Tuesday afternoon.
I’ve visited notable places – the Hennepin County Courthouse, George Floyd Square (just one block from where I went to elementary school) – and other places to draw, video, and watch.
Then the verdict was read.
Here are sketches that capture the mood and atmosphere I’ve seen so far.
As soon as the guilty verdict was read, celebrations broke out. It quickly became known that ex-cop Chauvin had been convicted of all counts in the murder of George Floyd last May.
The 45-year-old chauvin has been convicted of second and third degree murder and second degree manslaughter.
This illustration used in the earlier part of this article came after spending time with the revelers and managing to record a video of the mother and daughter hug. Use the slider to see how a hug turned into an illustration.
I also saw the raw reactions from people, including a man pumping his fist and a woman pondering what had just happened.
Michael Ingram of Minneapolis sang “I Am Somebody” and pumped his fist in celebration outside Hennepin County Government Center after the verdict was announced.Mike Thompson / USA TODAY
Shannon Gavin of St. Paul held her hands to her heart outside the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis shortly after the verdict was announced.Mike Thompson / USA TODAY
George Floyd Square was eerily quiet when the final arguments were made.
The intersection where the 46-year-old died was full of memorabilia – flowers, cuddly toys, signs. The display was one of many that could be found on the square.
Minneapolis awaits Chauvin’s verdict
Minneapolis holds its breath as a jury deliberates on the fate of former police officer Derek Chauvin.
Some of the hundreds of stuffed animals have remained in George Floyd Square, Minneapolis.Mike Thompson, USA TODAY
Graffiti in George Floyd Square, MinneapolisMike Thompson, USA TODAY
Road construction barrier in George Floyd SquareGraffiti on a road construction barrier in George Floyd Square, Minneapolis.
Sign in George Floyd Square in MinneapolisMike Thompson, USA TODAY
More coverage of chauvinistic judgments
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Released 7:24 UTC April 21, 2021
Updated 7:07 UTC April 21, 2021
