The murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin five years ago sparked outrage in the Twin Cities and around the world.

Following the death of George Floyd and everything that occurred afterwards, Minnesota sports figures question whether change has actually come.

A series of community events in Minneapolis will honor the life of George Floyd on Friday, as organizers hope to create a space for healing, reflection and a commitment to racial justice. The second annual Day of Remembrance will begin with an interfaith prayer in front of the Hennepin County Government Center.

Progress toward more fair policing could be undermined by a push from some activists and lawmakers on the political right to get President Donald Trump to pardon Derek Chauvin, as his administration moves to end federal policing oversight.

After George Floyd was killed, people from the right and left agreed that the act was unconscionable. Now, some conservatives are calling for the police officer responsible to be pardoned.

The May 29 conversation will draw a line between the Robinsons, subjects of the Minnesota Star Tribune’s podcast “Ghost of a Chance,” and George Floyd’s murder.

At about 1,950 miles and two time zones away, Minneapolis has precious little in common with Vallejo. Still, for better or worse, the two cities were linked together for good on May 25, 2020.