‘He didn’t deserve to die over $20,’ Floyd’s brother tells Congress
A BROTHER of George Floyd took his grief to the US capital yesterday with an impassioned plea to Congress not to let his brother die in vain, lamenting that he “didn’t deserve to die over $20”.
The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee held the first congressional hearing to examine issues underlying civil unrest – racial injustice and police brutality – that erupted following Mr
Floyd’s May 25 death after a Minneapolis policeman knelt on his neck.
The Democratic-led House is moving forward with sweeping reform legislation while Senate Republicans craft a rival plan.
Mr Floyd was unarmed when taken into custody outside a corner market where an employee had reported that a man matching his description tried to pay for cigarettes with a counterfeit bill.
“George wasn’t hurting anyone that day. He didn’t deserve to die over $20. I’m asking you, is that what a black man’s worth? $20? This is 2020. Enough is enough,” Philonise Floyd (42) told the politicians. “It is on you to make sure his death is not in vain.
“I’m here to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain.
“George called for help and he was ignored. Please listen to the call I’m making to you now, to the calls of our family and the calls ringing on the streets of all the world.”
It was not clear whether Democrats and Republicans will overcome partisan differences to pass legislation that President Donald Trump would be willing to sign.
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told Fox News that Mr Trump could take policy action on race and policing through an executive order, but did not give details.
Officer Derek Chauvin, who was fired after the incident, has been charged with secondand third-degree murder and manslaughter. George Floyd and Mr Chauvin both worked as security personnel