Protests following George Floyd’s death in 2020 resulted in widespread damage and loss of life, with an estimated 9,000 demonstrations erupting across America. The protests took place in cities nationwide, with many turning violent as they sought to express outrage over the death of the African American man who died after being restrained by police.
Impact of the Protests
- The unrest led to significant property damage, with estimates suggesting that losses totaled $2 billion.
- Insured property damage occurred on a massive scale, with some insurance companies reporting claims totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.
Background of the Incident
The protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. He was arrested outside a convenience store in Minneapolis after attempting to use a counterfeit $20 bill. During his arrest, he resisted officers and was placed face down on the ground while handcuffed behind his back.
Derek Chauvin’s Role
Derek Chauvin’s role in George Floyd’s death remains contentious. He was found guilty of murdering George Floyd after using a knee maneuver on him while he resisted arrest. However, prosecutors did not charge Chauvin with murder under Minnesota law, which requires proof of intent or deliberation for murder charges to be brought against someone.
- Prosecutors argued that Chauvin had used excessive force when restraining Floyd and had shown no regard for human life during his actions.
- However, they failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this excessive force caused Floyd’s death.
Alternative Perspectives
A YouTube video titled ‘Fall Of Minneapolis’ presents arguments suggesting that drugs may have contributed to George Floyd’s death and that the knee maneuver used by Chauvin was taught during his police academy training. The video argues that:
- If experiencing chest pain or difficulty breathing due to drug use, individuals should seek medical help immediately rather than resisting arrest or attempting CPR, which can worsen the situation if done incorrectly.
- There is evidence from multiple sources, including body cam footage, showing Floyd resisting officers before they restrained him.
- Several instances exist where individuals have died from overdoses while being restrained by police, but these cases are often reported differently than Floyd’s case.
It is worth noting that these arguments do not change what happened during Derek Chauvin’s restraint of Floyd nor do they alter the understanding of how race played into this incident, despite prosecutors failing to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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