Sympathizers Attends Memorial Service For Murdered George Floyd In Minneapolis
Hundreds of sympathisers, including politicians, civil rights leaders, and celebrities, honoured George Floyd at a memorial service Thursday in Minneapolis, where he was killed 10 days ago.
George Floyd died on May 25, handcuffed, gasping for breath and pinned under the knees of three Minneapolis police officers.
Floyd was arrested by four police officers on Monday based on reports of a $20 counterfeit bill being used at a corner store. He was handcuffed and pinned facedown on the ground, under the knees of three policemen, gasping, “Please, I can’t breathe” for nearly nine minutes before dying.
At North Central University’s Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary, people commemorated the 46 years he lived, before his death spurred a worldwide movement against racism and police brutality.
George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, spoke at the event about their life together behind the golden casket, surrounded by purple and white flowers. They “didn’t have much” growing up, he said, but their mother “did what she could.”
Philonise Floyd talked about how his brother had “a way with words.” He made even homeless people and those who were addicted to drugs feel like “the president,” which made people “cling to him” and want to be in his presence, he said.
‘George Floyd should not be among the deceased’
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and congresswomen Ilhan Omar, Sheila Jackson-Lee, and Ayana Pressley were seen at the service, where attendees wore masks and maintained social distance. Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey were joined by Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, T.I., Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, and Marsai Martin.
Ben Crump, the attorney representing Floyd’s family, spoke at the event.
“The pandemic of racism and discrimination killed George Floyd,” he said.
A video captured Floyd’s final moments and sent shockwaves around the world when it was shared widely on social media. Crump described the way Floyd was treated as “torture,” “inhumane,” and “evil.”
Americans, Sharpton said, haven’t been taught that “if you commit a crime, it does no matter whether you wear blue jeans or a blue uniform, you must pay for the crime you committed.”
“George Floyd should not be among the deceased,” he added. “He did not die of common health conditions. He died of a common American criminal justice malfunction.”
Sharpton highlighted President Donald Trump’s photo-op in front of St. John’s Church on Monday and said, “Since he held a Bible, if he’s watching us today, I would like him to open that Bible.”
‘Get your knee off our necks’
Derek Chauvin, the arresting officer, pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. He charged with second-degree and third-degree murder, as well as second-degree manslaughter.
The three other officers — Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane — had until Wednesday only lost their jobs. They’ve since been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
During Thursday’s service, which is the first in a series of memorials for Floyd, a Minneapolis judge set bail at $750,000 for Thao, Keung, and Lane.
Floyd’s death has sparked protests in the United States and across the globe, and, Sharpton promised, “We won’t stop. We’re going to keep going until we change the whole system of justice.”
“It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say: Get your knee off our necks,” he added.
