We interview Maya Santamaria, a business owner and community leader in Minneapolis who employed both George Floyd and his alleged killer, Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, at the same time in a nightclub she owned.
Santamaria gives us her on-the-ground perspective on the violent protests and riots going on in Minneapolis, who she believes is behind them, and how local business owners are responding. She explains that the police have essentially abandoned the Lake Street area of south Minneapolis. For her explanation of how Latino business owners are taking up arms to protect their businesses after the police have abandoned their community, go to approximately 49:30.
She explains why she feels that local institutions such as the Minneapolis Police Department and the City of Minneapolis have institutional racism problems, and how that affects people of color in south Minneapolis.
For our discussion of her personal experience with George Floyd and Derek Chauvin, go to approximately 20:00 on the video or audio podcast. She explained from her firsthand perspective that, among other things, Derek Chauvin had used excessive force in the past, and seemed to have a particular issue with African-Americans.
She also speaks to George Floyd as a person, and how the community can move forward and learn from what has happened.
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