Floyd mourners in NC say he’s ‘part of change’
Larger message seen as public viewing held
RAEFORD, N.C. – Mourners made the trek by the thousands on Saturday to view the body of the man who died May 25 while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers.
George Perry Floyd Jr., 46, who died after a police officer held his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes while he was handcuffed and pleading that he could not breathe, was honored by a throng of people at the R.L. Douglas Cape Fear Conference Center off Raeford Road.
Raeford was the site of the second memorial service for Floyd after one was held Thursday in Minneapolis, where he lived. Bridgette Floyd, his sister, lives in Hoke County, as do other family members.
Floral arrangements were placed on each end of the gold casket. Inside the lobby where Floyd’s body lay, Hoke County sheriff ’s deputies, volunteers and members of the Raeford Chaplain Co. stood to help usher mourners inside and out.
Natasha Moss, 30, emerged from the viewing area with teary eyes evident over her face mask. She said the viewing was emotional for her after seeing photos and video of Floyd on television and social media.
“I haven’t been able to see him in the flesh,” Moss said. “It hits harder when it’s right in front of you. Now I think it’s the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Like now, it’s going to be part of change. I hope after today and the next memorial, everyone will continue to fight for African-american civil rights.”
A private family service was later held.
A memorial service also is planned in Houston on Monday, followed by a private family service the following day.
Floyd is a Fayetteville native who moved to Minneapolis from Houston about three or four years ago.
Guests who walked through the viewing area were ushered out quickly as people in line continued to filter in over the late morning and early afternoon. The public viewing was scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., but the doors opened a half hour early because lines of people already had formed by Raeford Road.
Law enforcement officers were out in heavy numbers to help control the crowd, including deputies with the Hoke County Sheriff ’s Office and State Highway Patrol troopers.
Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin had said no protesting would be allowed during the memorial service. But that didn’t stop some mourners from bringing signs and displaying them by the road.
Their messages included “R.I.P. George Floyd,” “Black Lives Matter,” “Military Spouses for Justice and Equality” and “Say his name, honor it by ending racism.”
Debra Carter, 60, and Michelle Headley, 64, drove from the Greensboro area to pay their respects.
“I just told him to rest in peace,” Carter said.