Secure Special Session

Secure fencing remained around the Capitol after the largest call up of the National Guard since WWII to protect the building. The death of George Floyd sparked several nights of riots and looting in parts of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Peaceful demonstrators had filled the Capitol mall after the death of George Floyd and then two days before the start of the special session protesters tore down the statue of Christopher Columbus on the Capitol mall. To secure the Capitol, State Troopers were positioned inside and outside as legislators were called back to St. Paul for a special session. Many House and Senate members chose to remotely participate from their legislative districts.