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This past Monday, 46-year-old George Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer pinned him to the ground and pressed his knee into his neck, while Floyd pleaded for help and repeatedly said he could not breathe. The officers were responding to “a report of a counterfeit bill being passed” when they located and handcuffed Floyd, who was pronounced dead at the Hennepin County Medical Center following the encounter.
The disturbing interaction was filmed and quickly shared online, the four officers involved in the incident have since been fired, and the FBI is also investigating. However, the officers had yet to be charged, though Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has said the arresting officer should be.
“The technique that was used is not permitted; is not a technique that our officers get trained in on,” Frey said. “And our chief has been very clear on that piece. There is no reason to apply that kind of pressure with a knee to someone’s neck.”
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According to CNN, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office said in a statement that Floyd’s cause of death is pending and is being investigated by law enforcement. The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis also said in a statement, “Now is not the time rush to (judgment) and immediately condemn our officers. Officers’ actions and training protocol will be carefully examined after the officers have provided their statements.”
For two nights after Floyd’s death, protestors have poured into the streets of Minneapolis near the site where Floyd was arrested, chanting Floyd’s words from the video: “I can’t breathe.” The phrase is also a direct reminder of the death of Eric Garner, who said the same words in 2014, after being held in a chokehold by police in New York. Garner was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
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The Minneapolis protestors have been met with officers using tear gas and rubber bullets, a stark contrast to the way police recently responded to white demonstrators who have protested for states to open back up in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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On Wednesday night, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz tweeted that the protests had turned “extremely dangerous” and urged people to leave. According to CNN, people have been smashing the windows of a police precinct, looting stores, and at one point, an auto parts store was on fire. TIME reports that one man was shot to death during the protests; police have said they have a suspect in custody.
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Attorney Benjamin Crump is currently representing Floyd’s family and tweeted, “#GeorgeFloyd’s family thanks all of the protesters for joining them in standing for JUSTICE. They know we’re all hurting and any decent human being who watches the video of police killing their Gentle Giant will also feel shortness of breath.” Crump is a civil rights attorney who is also representing the families of Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed while out for a run in Georgia, and Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed by police in her Kentucky apartment.
If you are looking for ways to speak out against Floyd’s death, help his family, or get educated on the history of racism and police violence in the United States, consider:
- Donating to the memorial fund George Floyd’s family has set up. The GoFundMe page also includes an address where anyone can send cards or contributions.
- Contacting the Minneapolis mayor and the Hennepin County attorney at 612-673-2100 and 612-348-5550, respectively. You can also email the attorney at citizeninfo@hennpin.us, or contact the Minneapolis police department at police@minneapolismn.gov.
- Continuing to educate yourself, speaking out against injustice, and expanding your anti-racism work. Writers and activists Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein have compiled a document of resources, if you need a place to begin. There are also several anti-racism book lists, including this and this.
- Reading more about George Floyd and how his friends and family remember him. One friend, Vanita Williams, told BuzzFeed News: “He was articulate. He was grounded. He was spiritual. He was an athlete. He was an organizer. He was a comforter. He was an encourager.”
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