Minnesota Governor Tim Walz missed a Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Monday, where he was scheduled to speak, and instead attended a festival at George Floyd Square where he was filmed dancing and laying flowers.
Governor Absent From Veterans Event
Walz was listed in the official program as a speaker at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery Memorial Day program on Monday. Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the event confirmed to Alpha News reporter Liz Collin that the governor never appeared. One attendee expressed frustration at the absence, stating the governor’s decision to skip the ceremony was disrespectful to those who served. The ceremony at Fort Snelling honors military members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Festival Appearance at George Floyd Square
Instead of attending the veterans ceremony, Walz appeared at the Rise and Remember Festival in south Minneapolis. The event coincided with the sixth anniversary of George Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, which fell on Memorial Day this year. Video footage showed the governor participating in the festivities, where he laid flowers at the memorial site and joined crowds for music and dancing. In one clip, Walz was heard saying he was doing well for an old white guy while dancing.
The Rise and Remember Festival ran from May 23 through May 25 and was organized by caretakers of George Floyd Square along with members of Floyd’s family. The multi-day event featured a street festival with music performances, food trucks, and community gatherings at the intersection of 38th and Chicago. The City of Minneapolis issued an official statement honoring Floyd’s memory while Americans across the nation observed Memorial Day traditions.
No Official Explanation Provided
As of Tuesday, Walz’s office had not released any statement explaining why the governor missed the Fort Snelling ceremony or addressing the criticism from veterans and their families. The scheduling conflict placed the governor at a community festival on the same day he was expected to honor fallen service members at one of the nation’s most significant military cemeteries. The absence has drawn attention to questions about priorities and ceremonial obligations for elected officials on national holidays dedicated to remembering military sacrifice.
