Today the world remembers George Floyd on the one year anniversary of his death. On May 20, 2020, the world watched in absolute horror as former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. All this because a convenience store attendant believed that Floyd used a counterfeit $20 bill to purchase cigarettes.
After a hugely publicised trial, Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter.
George’s death ignited massive protests around the world, which put a spotlight on the painful reality of systemic racism in America and further sparked an even bigger push in the Black Lives Matter movement, the fight against police brutality and social injustice.
His one year anniversary will be observed with a block party in the Houston housing projects where he grew up and there will be other marches and events across the United States. Many social media users and public figures have already taken to Twitter to reflect on Floyd’s impact on police reform.
Martin Luther King Ⅲ wrote, “Last year, the world watched for 9 minutes and 29 seconds as #GeorgeFloyd lost his life before our very eyes. The curtain was pulled back on the systematic racism deeply embedded in our nation, & people of all ages, races, creeds & communities finally began to say enough is enough”.
President Biden is also expected to meet with his family today at the White House.