The damages from the unrest following George Floyd's death in 2020, often referred to as riots, were estimated at over $500 million in the Twin Cities area alone, making it one of the costliest civil disturbances in U.S. history. Nationwide, estimates vary, but the focus here is on Minnesota since that's where the bulk of the property damage occurred and where figures are most detailed.
Insurance companies covered a significant portion but fell far short of full recovery. They paid out around $240 million total for riot-related claims in Minnesota, though many businesses were underinsured, often receiving only 25-40% of their actual losses. Property owners bore much of the remaining costs out of pocket, supplemented by private donations (e.g., millions raised through community funds like the Lake Street Council).
The federal government denied multiple requests for aid. Gov. Tim Walz sought $15.6 million from FEMA for public infrastructure repairs (like damaged police stations and libraries), but the appeals were rejected, leaving no direct federal funding for rebuilding.
State and local governments stepped in with taxpayer-funded assistance. Walz authorized about $11.7 million from Minnesota's disaster fund for Hennepin County repairs and proposed $150 million in state bonds for broader redevelopment in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Lawmakers advanced a larger $300 million plan, though not all was approved; some federal COVID relief funds under Walz's control were also considered for business aid. Additionally, the state covered $13 million for National Guard deployment during the unrest. Tim Walz did not personally pay for any damages; as governor, he managed state resources and requests but wasn't individually liable.
Overall, no single entity footed the entire bill—costs were spread across insurers, state taxpayers, local budgets, private owners, and donations, with ongoing gaps for many affected businesses.
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