America mourning
Fiery words at Floyd service: ‘Get your knee off our necks’
CELEBRITIES, musicians and political leaders have gathered in front of George Floyd’s golden casket for a fiery memorial service for the man whose death at the hands of police sparked global protests.
The service – the first in a series set for three cities over six days – unfolded in Minneapolis as a judge a few blocks away set bail at $750,000 each for the three fired police officers charged with aiding and abetting murder in Mr Floyd’s death.
“George Floyd’s story has been the story of black folks. Because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could d dreamt never be to who be is we you wanted kept your and d r knee on our neck,” the Rever- end Al Sharpton said in a fierce eulogy. “It’s time for us s to stand up in George’s name e and say: ‘Get your knee off ff our necks!’ ” out-of-work Mr Floyd, bouncer, a 46-year-old died on d
n May 25 after a white police e officer, Derek Chauvin, put t his knee on Mr Floyd’s neck k for several minutes as he lay handcuffed on the pavement, gasping that he couldn’t t breathe.
Chauvin has been charged with murder, and he and the
times ti violent demonstrations aac dr c against police brutality, racism and inequality.
- Those gathered at the MMS si
Minneapolis tribute stood in silence for eight minutes and 46 4 seconds, the amount of time ti Mr Floyd was alleged to bbc co
be on the ground under the d control of police.
Mr Floyd’s brother, Philonise ni Floyd, recounted their childhoods ch and said: “All these th people came to see my brother.” br
The casket was covered in roses, and an image was projected of a mural of Mr Floyd painted at the corner where he was arrested. others th could ld get up years in prison.
From coast to coast, and from Paris and London to
Sydney and Rio de Janeiro, the chilling cellphone video of Mr Floyd’s slow death has set off turbulent and some