Fears of violent riots as George Floyd trial looms in Minneapolis

The main concern is that anything but a guilty verdict could bring the twin cities' streets back to the chaos and violence of last May and June.

According to AP News, the city of Minneapolis has taken steps to ensure that the courthouse is extremely well guarded. Concrete barriers have been built all around it and topped with barbed wire, in an effort to protect the building from would-be vandals.

Last summer's rioting saw widespread looting in the area where Floyd was arrested and died in May. Many stores were also burned down, as well as a police station. Things didn't calm down until the National Guard was called in. By that time, total damages were estimated at almost $400 million.

Minneapolis also famously "defunded" the police, a move which resulted in a surge in crime in general in the area. Crime and violence in Minneapolis remain way above their levels at this time a year ago.

Elias Usso, an Ethiopian immigrant and owner of a pharmacy in the area, said:

"I don’t know what’s going to happen to my business. We’re waiting to see. But I will continue to give service to our neighbors and delivering prescriptions to grandma and grandpa. If something happens, we’re going to continue."