Floyd changed the world

EULOGY: ‘YOU CHANGED THE WORLD, GEORGE. WE’RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING’

Make America Not Embarrassing Again, says sign at New York vigil.

Hundreds of mourners joined an emotional memorial service in Minneapolis on Thursday for George Floyd, the black man killed by police, as civil rights leader Al Sharpton vowed mass protests will continue until “we change the whole system of justice”.

Largely peaceful demonstrations took place later in cities from coast to coast. In New York, thousands marched over Brooklyn Bridge, while in Washington and Los Angeles, curfews were lifted and crowds reduced.

In Minneapolis, Floyd’s attorney told mourners he would find justice for the 46 year old, who died during a 25 May arrest when a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

“It was not the coronavirus pandemic that killed George Floyd,” said Benjamin Crump, who is representing Floyd’s family. “It was that other pandemic ... of racism and discrimination.”

The crowd stood in silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds – the same length of time that officer Derek Chauvin spent with his knee on Floyd’s neck, a scene captured on video.

Floyd’s death has reignited long-felt anger over police killings of African-Americans and unleashed a nationwide wave of civil unrest unlike any seen in the US since Martin Luther King Jnr’s 1968 assassination.

With marches stretching around the world, Sharpton said Floyd’s death would not be in vain.

“It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say get your knee off our necks,” said the Baptist minister, 65.

“You changed the world, George,” he said. “We’re going to keep fighting, George. We’re going to keep going until we change the whole system of justice.”

Members of Floyd’s family were among several hundred people attending the North Central University service.

Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo dropped to a knee as the hearse bearing Floyd’s remains arrived for the service.

A vigil for Floyd was also held in New York and was attended by thousands of people, including Floyd’s brother, Terrence.

“White Silence is Violence,” a sign read. “Make America Not Embarrassing Again,” read another.

Arrests were reported in Manhattan after the 8pm curfew passed. –

Picture: Reuters TURNING POINT. A person holds a placard as demonstrators gather at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Thursday during a protest against the death in police custody of George Floyd.