George Floyd Death Anniversary: Memorial Events, Marches and White House Meeting Marks The Day

New York: It’s almost a year since the murder of 46-year-old George Floyd, became a national movement against police brutality and bias in the US criminal justice system. The one year of death has been marked through moments of silence, marches, rallies and prayers across the world.  

In Germany, rally was undertaken to mark Floyd’s death while other events were observed across US embassies in Greece and Spain. Also Read: India Sends Help to Sri Lankan Navy To Douse Flames On Fire-Hit Cargo Ship

Celebration of life

Family members of Floyd observed a moment of silence at a “Celebration of Life” event at a Minneapolis park where people gathered amid music, food trucks, an inflatable bouncy house along with a vaccination stand. In a rare gesture, dozens of people kneeled at the site of the intersection where Floyd died where a steel fist sculpture has come up— symbolizing the 9 minutes, 29 seconds during which Floyd was pinned down.

However, before the festivities in Minneapolis were set to begin at the intersection where Floyd died was disrupted by gunfire. A video grab from 38th Street and Chicago Avenue, became informally known as George Floyd Square, showed people running for cover as shots rang out. As per the AP report, the police said a man, believed to be injured in the shooting approached a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound.

(George Floyd’s family lawyer Ben Crump (3rd L) holds up his fist with family members outside the White House as George Floyd’s daughter Gianna Floyd (C) calls out “Say his name” as they speak with reporters after meeting with US President Joe Biden in Washington, DC, on May 25, 2021. Philonise Floyd, George Floyd’s younger brother, met with President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday and called for “federal laws to protect people of color.”
JIM WATSON / AFP)

Flyod family members urge to pass US police reform

Several members of Floyd’s family, including daughter Gianna, mother, Roxie Washington, and his brother Philonise Floyd met with President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, besides meeting scheduled with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers.

Biden also released a statement saying the Floyd family has shown “extraordinary courage” over the last year. The efforts are on to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act that has been stalled in the Senate, despite the US President’s failed attemps to pass the legislation passed by Tuesday. The bill includes provisions to set up a national registry of police misconduct, a ban on racial and religious profiling by law enforcement and an overhaul of qualified immunity for police officers.

The Floyd family also launched a fund that will make grants to businesses and community organizations in the neighborhood, as well as broader grants “encouraging the success and growth of Black citizens and community harmony.” The money comes from $500,000 earmarked as part of the city’s $27 million civil settlement for the Floyd family, as per news agency AP.

 

(Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters hold placards and shout slogans during a march on the anniversary of the death of George Floyd, in Brooklyn, New York on May 25, 2021. The family of George Floyd appealed on May 25 for sweeping police reform on the anniversary of the African American man’s murder by a white officer, as they met President Joe Biden at the White House.
Ed JONES / AFP)

Justice for Flyod

Floyd, died on May 25, 2020, after then-Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, pinning him to the ground for about 9 1/2 minutes. Chauvin, a white policeman was convicted of murder and faces sentencing on June 25. The federal grand jury which consisted for 7 women and 5 men has found former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, guilty on all three counts of murder of George Floyd. Three other fired officers still face trial.

Floyd’s murder was captured by onlookers on camera while they asked Chauvin to step away from his neck and the video was shared on social media. His murder sparked a nationwide violent protest on systemic racism and police brutality.