Floyd memorial brings calls to oppose racism
A CHARGED memorial service to George Floyd has seen fiery calls to stand up to racism after his death in police custody sparked protests worldwide.
Mr Floyd died on May 25 after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, put his knee on the 46-yearold’s neck for several minutes as he lay handcuffed on the pavement.
Celebrities and political leaders gathered in front of his golden casket at the first of several services which was held in Minneapolis, as a judge in the city set bail at $750,000 (£600,000) for the three fired police officers charged with aiding and abetting murder.
“George Floyd’s story has been the story of black folks,” said the Rev Al Sharpton as he delivered an eulogy at the North Central University.
“Because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed to be is you kept your knee on our neck.
“It’s time for us to stand up in George’s name and say, ‘Get your knee off our necks!’”
As protests continue worldwide, two police officers in Buffalo were suspended as video footage emerged of an elderly man suffering serious head injuries after being pushed at a protest.
Before the footage came to light, it was claimed the 75-yearold had tripped and fallen.
In Minneapolis, Chauvin has been charged with murder, and he and the three other officers at the scene could now face up to 40 years in prison.
Across the world, the video of Mr Floyd’s slow death has set off turbulent and sometimes violent protests against police brutality, racism and inequality, with large crowds marching in London and Birmingham for Black Lives Matter demonstrations earlier this week.
Those gathered at the Minneapolis
tribute stood in silence for eight minutes, 46 seconds, the amount of time Mr Floyd was alleged to be on the ground under the control of police.
The Rev Sharpton vowed that this will become a movement to “change the whole system of justice”.
Mr Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd told the crowd about their childhood playing catch and eating banana and mayonnaise sandwiches.
He said: “All these people came to see my brother.
“That’s amazing to me that he touched so many people’s hearts because he touched our hearts.”
The casket was covered in red roses, and a vibrant image was projected above the pulpit of a mural of Mr Floyd painted at the street corner where he was arrested by police on suspicion of attempting to pay with a counterfeit note.
The message on the mural reads: “I can breathe now”.
In the US, where protests had been marked by bouts of lawlessness, relative quiet prevailed for a third night on Thursday, a day after prosecutors charged the three other officers at the scene and filed a new, more serious count of murder against Chauvin.
In New York City, a large crowd gathered at Brooklyn’s Cadman Plaza and chanted “You are not alone” in a rally with another of George Floyd’s brothers.
“I thank God for you all showing love to my brother,” said an emotional Terrence Floyd.